At the end of December 2025, the French Air Force Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) awarded Sabena technics a major contract for the MRO of the C-130J-30 and KC-130J aircraft operated by the Binational Air Transport Squadron based at Évreux Air Base 105. With a duration of ten years, the agreement represents one of the largest military contracts ever secured by Sabena technics and marks a significant milestone in the expansion of its military fleet support activities.
Under the contract, Sabena technics will deliver full MRO services for ten aircraft across the French and German fleets, comprising five C-130J and five KC-130J aircraft. The scope of work is extensive and covers scheduled maintenance visits to be performed at the company’s Bordeaux facility, alongside comprehensive supply chain and repair management. The contract also includes the establishment of an on-site technical front office and substantial logistics facilities at Évreux Air Base 105, ensuring close operational support to the squadron.
In addition, Sabena technics will provide round-the-clock technical support and assistance, as well as full airworthiness management services under its continuing airworthiness management organisation approval. This integrated approach is designed to maximise aircraft availability and operational readiness throughout the life of the programme.
Sabena technics brings established expertise in supporting C-130 fleets, having already provided maintenance services for the French Air and Space Force’s C-130H aircraft and conducted C-check inspections on Franco-German C-130J aircraft for several years. The successful delivery of the programme will rely on dedicated teams based both in Bordeaux and at Évreux Air Base 105, with this co-location intended to ensure responsiveness, operational proximity and high overall support performance.
The programme will be delivered in close partnership with Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the C-130J, continuing a long-standing collaboration between the two companies. It also includes partnerships with Rolls-Royce and Dowty to support the C-130J powerplant systems.
