Jet Aviation Delivers First Pilatus PC-24 to French Navy Fleet

This article is based on an official press release from Jet Aviation.

On May 8, 2026, Jet Aviation announced the delivery of the first of three Pilatus PC-24 aircraft to the French Navy (Marine Nationale). This milestone marks the beginning of a critical fleet modernization program designed to replace the Navy’s aging Dassault Falcon 10MER aircraft, which have been in service for nearly five decades.

The delivery is part of a comprehensive 10-year contract awarded to Jet Aviation France by the French Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé) in late 2025. Under this agreement, Jet Aviation provides a turnkey “dry lease” solution, handling aircraft acquisition, leasing, and full on-site sustainment, while the French Navy operates the flights.

The new fleet will be operated by the Escadrille 57S squadron, stationed at the Landivisiau Naval Air Base (BAN Landivisiau) in Brittany, France. According to the official press release, this arrangement ensures seamless operational readiness for the Navy’s specialized training and transport missions.

Fleet Modernization and the DMAé Contract

Transitioning from the Falcon 10MER

The French Navy has relied on the Dassault Falcon 10MER (DA10) since 1975 for a variety of missions, including pilot training, VIP transport, and liaison duties. Due to the advancing age of these airframes, the fleet is scheduled for a phased withdrawal from service between 2026 and 2027, according to industry reports.

To bridge this capability gap, the DMAé initiated a competitive bidding process, ultimately selecting Jet Aviation. The resulting 10-year dry lease contract represents a modern approach to military procurement, shifting the burden of ownership and maintenance to the private sector while allowing the military to focus purely on operations.

Jet Aviation’s On-Site Support

Beyond simply leasing the aircraft, Jet Aviation is deploying a dedicated on-site team at the Landivisiau base. This team is responsible for line and base maintenance, tooling, infrastructure, and Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) services.

Jeremie Caillet, President of Jet Aviation, highlighted the collaborative effort in the company’s press release:

“This is the culmination of many months of collaboration and partnership between our team, the DMAé and Pilatus, and it has been a privilege to work together to bring these aircraft into service… By bringing together aircraft ownership, leasing and sustainment within a single solution, we deliver seamless support tailored to the specific operational requirements of the French Navy fleet.”

The Pilatus PC-24 “Super Versatile Jet”

Aircraft Specifications and Capabilities

The first delivered aircraft, registered as F-HJAH (Manufacturer Serial Number 619), is a Pilatus PC-24. A second aircraft, registered as F-HJAI (MSN 620), has recently completed its test flights and is currently undergoing interior outfitting. The remaining two jets are expected to be delivered at approximately six-month intervals.

The twin-engine jet boasts a cruise speed exceeding 800 km/h and a range of up to 3,700 km. It can accommodate up to nine passengers plus a pilot and features a standard large cargo door, making it highly adaptable for urgent freight or medical evacuation missions.

Furthermore, the aircraft is certified for single-pilot operations and is uniquely designed to operate from short, unpaved, and unprepared runways, utilizing the modern Pilatus ACE digital cockpit.

Mission Profile: The “Flying Classroom”

The French Navy intends to utilize the PC-24s primarily as “flying classrooms.” Their mission profile includes Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training for Rafale M fighter pilots, periodic proficiency checks, urgent cargo transport, and general liaison duties.

Fabien Fuster, VP Government Services EMEA at Jet Aviation, emphasized the company’s readiness to support these specialized missions:

“We bring some 60 years of maintenance expertise including some four decades providing dedicated support to governmental fleets. Our team has been working with the squadron on-site to establish the personnel, tooling, infrastructure and processes required to provide seamless maintenance and airworthiness support…”

Broader Industry Implications

AirPro News analysis

We observe that the French Navy’s acquisition of the Pilatus PC-24 underscores a growing global trend of military forces adopting this specific airframe for multi-role utility and training. The PC-24 is already in use or on order by several international operators, including the Swiss Federal Council, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Spanish Air and Space Force, and the Indonesian Air Force.

Additionally, the structure of the DMAé contract highlights a broader shift toward turnkey leasing in military procurement. Rather than purchasing non-combat support aircraft outright, armed forces are increasingly turning to private aviation companies for “power-by-the-hour” or dry-lease agreements. This strategy effectively reduces upfront capital expenditure while ensuring high fleet availability through private-sector maintenance expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the remaining PC-24 aircraft be delivered to the French Navy?

Following the May 2026 delivery of the first aircraft, the remaining two PC-24s are expected to be delivered in phases at roughly six-month intervals.

What will happen to the French Navy’s Falcon 10MER fleet?

The aging Dassault Falcon 10MER fleet, which has been in service since 1975, is scheduled to be gradually withdrawn from service between 2026 and 2027.

Who is responsible for maintaining the new PC-24 fleet?

Under the 10-year dry lease contract, Jet Aviation owns the aircraft and provides full on-site sustainment, including line and base maintenance, at the Landivisiau Naval Air Base.

Sources:

• Jet Aviation Official Press Release