The French Procurement Agency, Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), has selected the PC-7 MKX as the new training system for the French Air and Space Force. The fleet of 22 PC-7 MKXs will be used to provide basic training for military pilots – deliveries are scheduled for 2027.
In the early days of 2025, Babcock France won the prestigious “Mentor 2” tender and a 17-year contract to provide training services based on the PC-7 MKX.
Besides the 22 aircraft, the package will also include ground-based training tools to be provided partly in collaboration with French industry. Pilatus will supply simulators, computer-based training and mission planning and debriefing system equipment.
PC-21 & PC-7 MKX in operation
The Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace has provided advanced military pilot training on the Pilatus PC-21 and associated training system at the Base Aérienne 709 in Cognac-Châteaubernard since 2018. Pilots now train on 26 PC-21s which were acquired in two batches. With the introduction of the PC-7 MKX for basic training, France will now make exclusive use of Pilatus trainers for all phases of military pilot training.
Pilatus release