We´ve learned that the first CN 235 Persuader bought by the Mexican Navy has been spotted in Spain, at the EADS CASA Sevilla Facility.
The Mexican Navy bought four maritime surveillance CN 235 Persuader and two cargo C 295 aircraft.
The CN 235 Persuader is an all-weather maritime surveillance aircraft, developed by the Spanish EADS subsidiary CASA.
They can be equipped with a variety of radar systems such as the Raytheon Seavue or the Telephonics APS 143 OceanEye.
The CN 235 is also equipped whit an optronic forward looking infrared station FLIR Star Safire II. Both systems -the radar and the optronic station- are managed by the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) developed also by EADS.
The CN 235’s and C 295’s were ordered directly by the Mexican Navy, and should not be confused with similar equipment that may arrive thanks to the Merida Initiative Anti Narcotics Cooperation Agreement.
It’s important to notice that the Mexican Navy already operates seven CASA C-212 maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft, which also incorporate the same ISR systems as the new Persuaders, such as the mentioned Fully Integrated Tactical System.
Defensa - Estrategia - Geopolítica 
The CN-235 ordered by the Mexican Navy are going to be equipped with the APS-143C(V)3 OceanEyeTM Multi- Mode Maritime Surveillance and Imaging Radar, not the Raytheon Seavue radar:
Telephonics receives contract from EADS CASA of Spain for Maritime Patrol Aircraft by the Mexican Navy
FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK, April 27, 2009 – Telephonics Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE: GFF); announced today that they recently received a contract for their APS-143C(V)3 OceanEyeTM Multi- Mode Maritime Surveillance and Imaging Radar from EADS CASA of Spain. This radar equipment will be installed on the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to be delivered to, and operated by, the Mexican Navy. This initial contract covers the supply of radar equipment and additional support services for integration on the EADS-CASA CN-235 MPA. With this program the Mexican Navy joins many other navies and coast guards around the world in selecting the APS-143C(V)3 for their maritime surveillance needs.
http://www.airframer.com/news_story.html?release=4445
Thanks for the comment Arturo.
I really appreciate you stopped by.
The information you just shared to us is very relevant. However, I was told that the Telephonics OceanEye had been selected to equip the CN 235 donated to Mexico under the Merida Initiative program, and that the Persuaders ordered directly by the Mexican Navy (four) would operate the Raytheon SeaVue (I’m not sure anymore though).
If you have more information please share it to us.
Thanks again.
You’re welcome, now, the note is self-explanatory, it mentions that the order was made directly by EADS CASA of Spain and doesn’t mention neither the USA nor the Merida Initiative. As you said, any CN-235 donated through the MI will be equipped with the radar from Telephonics so it makes sense that the Mexican Navy ordered their own with as much the same electronic as possible, and while it also makes sense ordering the same as the current C-212 fleet, these aircrafts will end their operational life around 2014-2016 at the longest and with the current increased operational tempo it would probably happen sooner, while the CN-235 will last till 2035.
I don’t have any other information than what I find on the net sadly, but the note provided does nothing but to confirm what I thought on this matter.
Dear Arturo,
Thanks for the comment.
I find it very interesting –to say the least- that the Mexican Navy is ordering a different radar for their new CN 235’s. I also agree that the C212’s will end their operational life in the next five years, but that applies only for the airframes and not their on-board electronic equipment (such as the SeaVue and the StarSafire FLIR).
Nevertheless, you have a good point. The Navy is probably willing to order the same equipment as those coming under the MI program.
I still have one doubt though….Is the Mexican Navy going to order the FITS system (as I was told) or is it buying the Lockheed Martin C4 system? I hope their going FITS.
As far as I know they are going to have FITS but I don’t remember where I read about it. And as I understand the avionics of any and all modern aircrafts gets too old/obsolete way too quick, way faster than the airframes themselves, but it’s also a good point that the on-board electronic equipment of the C-212 would still have some remaining life after the aircrafts are retired, it may be recycled, but if that happens on the CN-235 is another question.