The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) have signed a contract with Aerodata for the procurement of a second maritime patrol aircraft, the King Air B200.

The €9.696m contract is the fourth to utilise the 2010 external borders fund (EBF) and includes integrated systems, training and a service support package.

The aircraft will perform missions including detection, identification and coordination operations and will perform an additional role in the protection of EU southern external borders.

The King Air B200 integrates a Telephonics RDR 1700B 360° belly-mounted radar, a Wescam MX 15i forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system and SAR direction finder.

The aircraft will be delivered to the AFM in March 2012, according to the Times of Malta.