Babcock wins French air base ground support equipment contract
The deal marks Babcock’s first major French ground sector contract. (Photo: Babcock)
The French Ministry of Armed Forces’ Aeronautical Maintenance Department has awarded Babcock a 10-year multimillion-Euro contract for the global support of air transport and aircraft equipment, Babcock announced on 19 December.
The deal marks Babcock’s first major French land sector contract and its UK business will support it by capability transfer.
Babcock said France is ‘a focus country’ for the business, and the new award extends its support for the French Armed Forces.
Related Articles
France and UK eye mutual benefits from potential RAF secondments
France favours air force in 2023 defence budget
UPDATED: FCAS is ‘on the way to first flight’, says Airbus
Babcock, AES and TLD (part of Alvest Group) will set up operations at five military bases in Bordeaux-Beauséjour, France, in the first half of 2023, but technicians will work on a total of 26 air force, navy and army bases both in France and abroad.
Babcock will be responsible for fleet management, including rationalisation and renewal and maintenance of a large part of the equipment.
AES will be in charge of logistical support, supply and delivery of spare parts, whereas TLD will provide specific high-value-added equipment.
Pierre Basquin, CEO of Babcock France said in a 19 December statement: ‘This first GSE contract is an important and strategic step for Babcock in France, and we are proud that the Aeronautical Maintenance Department has trusted us to provide this essential service.
‘This new contract places us in a good position for future opportunities in the land sector and with the French armed forces. We are looking forward to this new challenge.’
More from Air Warfare
-
With a wave of upgrades, the MQ-9B is ready for high-tech warfare
The modern battlefield is evolving rapidly — threats range from stealthy cruise missiles to coordinated drone swarms. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is meeting these challenges head-on with a series of transformative upgrades to its MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and maritime SeaGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft.
-
June drone digest: Landmark CCA contract and deep-strike capability flourishes at Eurosatory
June 2026 saw the landmark acquisition of the first fighter-type Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), while the month also hosted Eurosatory, which showcased deep-strike capabilities and production deals with the civilian industry.
-
BAE Systems' UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly
The first render for the demonstrator was unveiled in July 2025, with BAE Systems now aiming for the start of final assembly by the end of 2026 to prepare the aircraft for first flight by 2027.