Babcock International will operate Aero Vodochody L‑39 Albatros jet trainers to support France's EPNER test pilot school and the DGA, providing training, test and simulation sorties — including flight‑characteristics assessment and mock‑adversary roles — as an interim solution while France seeks an Alpha Jet replacement.
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Briefing
The contract provides an immediate, low‑risk capability to EPNER and the DGA for test, simulation and adversary training while France evaluates Alpha Jet replacement options.
The award underscores the expanding role of private contractors delivering operational training and sustainment services; see Babcock's recent MoU exploring joint sustainment and training centres with WZL‑1 in Poland (https://hype.aero/?story=6979abc2-2fad-4cb1-9f13-3c37d994522f).
This deal sits alongside active market activity for jet trainer replacements and export bids, illustrated by recent moves from Boeing on the T‑7 (https://hype.aero/?story=8eda1dff-117b-47e9-835a-7df24448d0f2) and Textron's campaign to offer the M‑346N as a ready‑now integrated training solution (https://hype.aero/?story=1fb3f6dd-29e7-41d8-94f9-e5648f92722e).
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FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle