Babcock to support French Armed Forces’ operational training

Babcock France has secured a new eight-year contract with the French Armed Forces Commissariat Service (SCA) to support the operational training of French Armed Forces combat units.

Working in partnership with SDTS and Top Aces France, Babcock will provide realistic adversary, or ‘Red Air’, training services to enhance operational and tactical readiness across combat units of the French Air and Space Force, Navy and Army. This new activity marks a strategic step forward for Babcock France, expanding its expertise into operational readiness and combat training support.

Under this contract, Babcock will maintain and operate its fleet of upgraded L-39 aircraft from its Dijon-Bourgogne base, while SDTS will maintain and operate the A-4N Skyhawk Advanced Aggressor Fighter and Alpha Jet aircraft supplied by Top Aces France.

These aircraft will fly alongside the French Ministry of the Armed Forces’ Rafale and Mirage 2000 fleets in French airspace, providing a realistic and authentic training environment. Missions will be conducted from military air bases and civilian airports across France, delivering up to 400 training sorties and more than 1,000 flying hours annually.

Why providing realistic combat scenarios are essential for maintaining high operational readiness

Pierre Basquin, Chief Executive Aviation and CEO Babcock France, said: “In an increasingly complex and evolving strategic environment, armed forces must be able to train in conditions that are as realistic, demanding and representative of modern combat as possible. This contract marks an important milestone for Babcock France, establishing a new operational training activity within our portfolio.

“By helping to prepare aircrew and military personnel for complex, high-intensity missions, we are expanding our expertise and reaching a new stage in our growth in support of the armed forces. Alongside SDTS and Top Aces France, we are proud to contribute to maintaining the operational readiness that is essential to mission success.”

Equipped with advanced operational systems, including Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) technology that enables real-time video exchange between pilots and ground controllers, Babcock’s L-39 aircraft will support a wide range of operational training activities.

These range from basic visual-range air combat manoeuvres to Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training, providing realistic and demanding combat training scenarios. The JTAC element of the programme is designed to enhance controllers’ ability to coordinate air and ground fires, exchange critical tactical information and ensure the safety of friendly forces during operations.

This capability enables JTAC personnel to identify and designate targets more effectively while maintaining situational awareness of friendly forces and the wider operational environment.