The French Procurement Agency, Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), has chosen the Pilatus PC-7 MKX as the new training system for the French Air and Space Force. The fleet of 22 PC-7 MKX aircraft will be used to deliver basic training for military pilots, with deliveries set to commence in 2027.
In early 2025, Babcock France secured the prestigious “Mentor 2” contract, a 17-year agreement to provide training services based on the PC-7 MKX. This comprehensive package will not only include the aircraft but also ground-based training systems, developed partly in partnership with the French industry. Pilatus will supply simulators, computer-based training solutions, and mission planning and debriefing systems, ensuring a fully integrated training programme.
The new contract will complement the existing pilot training system already in operation. Since 2018, the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace has been conducting advanced military pilot training with the Pilatus PC-21 at Base Aérienne 709 in Cognac-Châteaubernard. The fleet of 26 PC-21 aircraft, delivered in two batches, has played a crucial role in training the next generation of French military pilots.
With the introduction of the PC-7 MKX for basic training, the French Air and Space Force will now rely exclusively on Pilatus aircraft for all phases of military pilot training. This unified training approach marks a significant step in modernising France’s military pilot training programme, ensuring consistency and operational efficiency across all stages of pilot instruction.
