The P-72A, the Italian Air Force's military designation for the ATR-72MP, is a maritime patrol aircraft capable of operating over the sea at low and medium altitudes, near the coast, at various latitudes and climates, regardless of light and weather conditions. The aircraft can search and acquire information for the discovery, location, recognition, classification, tracking and identification of surface contacts. It is based on the ATR-72 regional twin-turboprop airframe, on which the ATOS mission system is installed that integrates on-board sensors, managed by four multifunctional consoles, through an electronically scanning radar and an electro-optical turret. It also has capabilities for real-time identification and analysis on board the aircraft of electromagnetic emissions in the area of operations, and the ability to transmit information through a self-protection system with the possibility of deployment in hostile territory.

Joint crews are made up of pilot officers and petty officer aircrew members who belong to the Air Force and the Navy.

La versione MP è stata sviluppata da Alenia Aeronautica, oggi Leonardo Aircraft, e installata sulla cellula dell’ATR-72, progettato e costruito dal consorzio ATR, controllato in miura paritetica da Leonardo e Airbus.