France’s defense procurement agency has awarded Babcock a contract worth $815.4 million to provide military air training solutions for the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy.
Under the 17-year contract, Babcock will supply 22 new PC-7 MkX Pilatus aircraft, along with simulators and other related equipment, to support student pilot training sessions at Salon-de-Provence Air Base in Southern France. The program is designed to train approximately 120 student pilots each year, requiring them to complete nearly 11,000 flight hours and 6,500 simulator training hours before they specialize as fighter or transport pilots.
Babcock anticipates that the contract will create more than 100 new jobs in Salon-de-Provence and Le Cannet-des-Maures regions, including positions for engineers, technicians, project managers and administrators.
This long-term contract follows a 12-year agreement Babcock secured with the French Interior Ministry to provide technical, logistical and software support for its EC145 light utility aircraft fleet partnership with Airbus Helicopters.
Additionally, Babcock has secured its first NATO training contract, which will support the alliance’s Joint Warfare Centre. Under this five-year contract, the company will assist with military exercises held in Norway.