Sabena technics group will operate as a subcontractor to Airbus Defence & Space at the Istres air base, close to the French Air Force, for a period of 12 years, providing a broad spectrum of services. The proximity to operational staff on-site will ensure optimal availability of this strategic fleet for the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique and the French Air Force.
After a brief stint at its Nîmes facility, Sabena technics will relocate to the Mercure hangar at the Jean Sarrail aeronautical centre in Istres, closer to the operational staff, to perform various maintenance tasks. These include scheduled maintenance visits every six and 12 years, as well as lower-level visits on request. They will also manage unscheduled maintenance work at very short notice, modification work on request and maintenance of medical emergency kits.
Sabena technics will additionally supply the MRTT at the Aeronautical Technical Support Squadron (Escadron de Soutien Technique Aéronautique MRTT) at Istres Air Force Base 125. This will involve providing a one-stop service for the distribution of spare parts and tooling directly to Air Force and Space Force mechanics, available up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will also offer a tyre exchange and battery charging service and support Air Force and Space Force mechanics in the implementation and maintenance of MRTTs.
