Babcock wins French air base ground support equipment contract
The deal marks Babcock’s first major French ground sector contract. (Photo: Babcock)
Babcock considers France an important market and the newly awarded support contract marks its first step towards supporting the French Armed Forces.
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
-
![Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?]()
Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?
Demand signals for counter-drone technology are strong and the market is becoming crowded, but is this really the beginning of a new phase of warfare or will commentators be talking about something else 10 years from now?
-
![The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth]()
The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth
Total annual drone spending has increased nearly sixfold since the start of the decade, from $2.9 billion in 2020 to $16.3 billion in 2028, with Europe leading the rise.
-
![July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough]()
July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough
Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.
-
![July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop]()
July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop
The biannual Farnborough International Airshow 2026 was the backdrop in July for scores of deals, partnerships and announcements, including developments in the multinational next-generation Global Combat Air Programme and the UK’s $486 million trainer aircraft requirement.
