Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé) have signed a comprehensive support agreement covering the French Air and Space Force’s fleet of four Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The contract encompasses aircraft and combat systems engineering, logistical support at the operating base, and major scheduled maintenance visits to be performed at AFI KLM E&M’s facilities. Structured as an integrated performance-based agreement, the contract places responsibility for availability with AFI KLM E&M, ensuring guaranteed operational readiness for the fleet.
Through this long-term industrial partnership, the French armed forces will benefit from sustained, end-to-end support over the next ten years. The agreement is expected to underpin operations of the AWACS fleet until its planned withdrawal from service in 2035, providing continuity, technical expertise and predictable performance for this strategically important capability.
The contract was formally announced on 25 November at the DMAé’s premises in Paris, in the presence of Lieutenant General Marc Howyan (Armament Corps), Director of the DMAé, and Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President of Air France–KLM Engineering & Maintenance.
“This contract marks an important milestone in our long-standing collaboration with AFI KLM E&M,” said Lieutenant General Marc Howyan. “The combined expertise of the AFI KLM E&M and DMAé teams has consistently delivered the highest levels of performance for the benefit of the Air and Space Force, enabling excellent aircraft availability despite the fleet having been in service for more than thirty years.”
The agreement reflects the continued confidence of the French Ministry of Armed Forces in AFI KLM E&M’s ability to support complex military platforms and sustain critical operational capabilities over extended service lives.
