Photos courtesy Textron Aviation
The Armed Forces of Malta has operated Beechcraft King Air maritime patrol aircraft for more than a decade and recently accepted delivery of a factory-new, extended-range Beechcraft King Air 360ER as the force continues standardizing the fixed-wing aircraft of its air component.
The Air Wing fleet already includes three King Air 200 models that the non-combat force uses to safeguard Malta’s national interests, monitor its area of responsibility in the central Mediterranean Sea and contribute to national and regional security operations.
The work of the Air Wing is shaped by the small island nation’s position as a southern border for the European Union. The King Airs operate maritime patrol missions in the Mediterranean Sea including border control, maritime surveillance, law enforcement and search and rescue support.
A chief engineer officer and an air wing avionics engineer representing the Armed Forces of Malta traveled to Textron Aviation facilities in Wichita, Kansas, this summer to accept delivery of the newest King Air procured under a 2025 contract.
Once accepted, the extended-range model then made a transatlantic journey to Aerodata AG in Braunschweig, Germany, where it is being fitted with an extensive suite of mission equipment and systems integration. Certification and testing in accordance with the Armed Forces of Malta’s operational requirements and specifications will follow before the aircraft is expected to enter service in 2027.
The 360ER 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. Adding a King Air 360ER boosts the Air Wing’s ability to meet growing operational demands and enhance security and safety across the region while 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,” Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales, said in a news release issued during Farnborough International Airshow. “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.”