Textron Aviation announced the delivery of a factory-new, extended-range Beechcraft King Air 360ER to support the Armed Forces of Malta’s maritime patrol missions in the central Mediterranean, expanding the country’s King Air fleet while strengthening operational capacity and maintaining fleet commonality.
“The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is exceptionally well suited for maritime patrol missions, offering the range, endurance and reliability required to operate across the central Mediterranean,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales. “We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the Armed Forces of Malta and to support their mission with another proven King Air platform.”
Delivered to Aerodata AG in Braunschweig, Germany, the aircraft will be configured by Aerodata for maritime patrol missions including border control, maritime surveillance, law enforcement and search and rescue, prior to delivery to the Armed Forces of Malta in 2027.
The acquisition builds on Textron Aviation’s long-standing support of the Armed Forces of Malta, which has operated Beechcraft King Air maritime patrol aircraft for more than a decade.
About the Beechcraft King Air 360ER
The Beechcraft King Air remains the world’s best‑selling business turboprop family, supporting commercial operators, special mission organizations and several branches of the U.S. military. Since 1964, customers have taken delivery of more than 7,900 King Air turboprops, logging over 66 million flight hours worldwide.
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER turboprop is the extended‑range variant of the King Air 360, offering increased fuel capacity, higher useful load and longer range to support long‑distance and mission‑driven operations. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A‑60A engines and equipped with Pro Line Fusion avionics, the King Air 360ER builds on the versatility and reliability of the King Air family.
