Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • AERALIS secures strategic collaboration with Babcock

Defence Events

AERALIS secures strategic collaboration with Babcock

Bristol based light jet company AERALIS, has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Babcock France to explore the operation of flexible aircraft 'as a service' enabled by the design of AERALIS’ modular aircraft system.


 
Image courtesy AERALIS

The agreement seeks to outline the value of a transformational delivery operating model for making different AERALIS aircraft configurations available to air forces as a service, including how this could support future flexible and affordable combat air support and training constructs ready for fifth and sixth generation combat air.

Advertisement
ODU RT

AERALIS and Babcock will look to develop flexible solutions compatible with a number of current and future operational requirements, including using Babcock’s existing pedigree in both the UK and France to offer a clear response in support of March’s UK France Joint Leaders’ Declaration concerning Anglo-French interoperability of future air systems.   

Babcock France is currently under contract with the French MOD to deliver both Advanced and Lead-in training assets, including aircraft and simulation. In this field, Babcock partners with Dassault Aviation in France to provide a complete system to the French Air Force delivering world-class training to upcoming jet pilots and weapons systems officers. Babcock is also a lead partner in Ascent flight training, delivering flying training to pilots and air crew to the three services of the UK armed forces.
 
The list of AERALIS partners has continued to grow and this comes after an agreement was signed with France-based RED Air provider STDS in April this year complementing AERALIS’s existing agreements with both AirTanker and Ascent flight training, further strengthening AERALIS’ market position in Europe.  

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle

Babcock Chief Executive Aviation and France Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Basquin said: “Innovation is key for Babcock, due to the nature of the critical and challenging operations we are delivering to our customers. Working with Aeralis, an agile partner with a strong vision for 'out of the box' solutions, will help us to find the best platform for the future military flight training opportunities we have in Aviation”.

AERALIS’s founder & CEO Tristan Crawford commented: “AERALIS is delighted to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with Babcock to explore a highly innovative aircraft service offering in the light fast jet aviation sector. Babcock is set to become an important partner as part of developing AERALIS’s exciting service offering across multiple opportunities in the defence aviation market.”

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Babcock recruits record number of graduates and apprentices

Defence

Babcock recruits record number of graduates and apprentices

10 December 2025

Babcock has opened applications for its 2026 apprentice intake as it unveils the recruitment of a record number of graduates and apprentices across its UK business.

UK joins defence exports treaty with European allies

Defence

UK joins defence exports treaty with European allies

10 December 2025

The UK has joined a European defence export treaty alongside its NATO allies, making it easier for British defence businesses to benefit from closer cooperation on exports with European allies France, Germany and Spain.

HMS Formidable keel laid

Defence

HMS Formidable keel laid

10 December 2025

Another significant moment on the Type 31 (T31) programme was delivered by Babcock yesterday at its Rosyth facility in Scotland, with the keel laid for HMS Formidable.

Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace enter UAV capabilities partnership

Defence

Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace enter UAV capabilities partnership

10 December 2025

GKN Aerospace today announced a new strategic teaming agreement with autonomous platform provider Anduril Industries UK to explore future opportunities at GKN Aerospace’s Isle of Wight airframe production facility, accelerating the development of advanced uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) and rotorcraft technologies for UK defence programmes.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Babcock and HII expand collaboration on Virginia-class submarine construction

Defence

Babcock and HII expand collaboration on Virginia-class submarine construction

9 December 2025

Today, HII and Babcock have signed a contract that expands their strategic partnership for further support of Virginia-class submarine construction, to increase throughput at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.

AtkinsRéalis secures partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines

Defence

AtkinsRéalis secures partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines

9 December 2025

AtkinsRéalis has been appointed to deliver nuclear propulsion and engineering capabilities to Rolls-Royce Submarines, supporting the UK’s growing submarines programme.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle