This article is based on an official press release from Babcock International.

Babcock France Secures L-39 Jet Contract to Support French Test Pilot School

Babcock France has officially strengthened its partnership with the French Ministry of Armed Forces through a new contract to support the École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception (EPNER), the French test pilot school. According to a company press release, the agreement involves the deployment of a fleet of L-39 Albatros jet trainers to assist the Direction Générale de l’Armement, Essais en Vol (DGA EV).

The contract marks a significant expansion of Babcock’s operational footprint in the French defense sector. While the company has previously secured major contracts for basic and advanced turboprop training, this agreement represents its first operation of the L-39 jet platform for the French government. The operations will be centered at a facility in Dijon, utilizing a fleet of 11 Military-Aircraft acquired specifically for this purpose.

Operational Scope and Capabilities

Under the terms of the new deal, Babcock will provide a comprehensive service that includes the provision and maintenance of the aircraft. The primary mission of the L-39 fleet is to support the training of test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test technicians. These trainees will utilize the jets to assess flight characteristics and performance in complex, realistic scenarios.

Beyond standard test pilot curriculum support, the press release highlights several other critical roles for the fleet:

• “Red Air” Support: The L-39s will act as aggressor aircraft, simulating aerial threats during training missions for French military units.
• Technical Training: The aircraft will serve as platforms for training and refresher courses for DGA EV mechanics.
• Currency Flights: The fleet will facilitate “release flights” to help EPNER instructors and test pilots maintain their flight qualifications.

Pierre Basquin, CEO of Babcock France, emphasized the strategic nature of the agreement in a statement accompanying the announcement:

“The partnership reflects Babcock’s commitment to supporting the French armed forces in its critical missions by providing high-performance aerial assets tailored to the demands of training and testing. The contract is the first involving our L-39 aircraft and paves the way for further opportunities, particularly in operational Training and the training of international pilots.”

Pierre Basquin, CEO of Babcock France

Fleet History and Specifications

The 11 L-39C Albatros aircraft utilized in this contract carry a unique pedigree. According to background information regarding the acquisition, Babcock purchased these jets in December 2024 from Apache Aviation. Prior to their military service role, these specific airframes were operated by the Breitling Jet Team, the world’s largest civilian aerobatic display team.

The L-39 Albatros is a Czech-made high-performance jet trainer known for its reliability and cost-effectiveness. It serves as a bridge between turboprop trainers and high-performance frontline fighters like the Rafale, offering a jet environment at a lower operating cost than supersonic platforms.

AirPro News Analysis: Consolidating French Training

This latest contract solidifies Babcock’s position as a dominant partner in the modernization of French military pilot training. The L-39 deal complements a series of major wins for the company in recent years, creating a near-monopoly on outsourced pilot training platforms in France.

Babcock’s portfolio in the region now includes:

• FOMEDEC (2017): Providing PC-21 aircraft for advanced fighter pilot training at Cognac Air Base.
• MENTOR 1 (2021): An expansion of the PC-21 fleet to increase training capacity.
• MENTOR 2 (January 2025): A 17-year contract to replace the basic training fleet with 22 new Pilatus PC-7 MKX aircraft.

By securing the EPNER contract, Babcock has effectively closed the loop, providing platforms for basic training, advanced turboprop training, and now jet-based test pilot and aggressor support. This aligns with the broader “Project MENTOR” initiative by the French Air and Space Force, which seeks to modernize training pipelines and reduce costs by outsourcing platform availability while retaining military instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EPNER?

EPNER (École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception) is the French test pilot school responsible for training test pilots, flight test engineers, and technicians for the French military and DGA.

Where will the aircraft be based?

The operations will be based at a former military site in Dijon, France.

What is “Red Air”?

“Red Air” refers to adversary support, where aircraft act as enemy targets during training exercises to help friendly forces practice air-to-air combat tactics.

Sources

• Babcock International