Dassault, Babcock France partner for training contract

PARIS, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Babcock France and Dassault Aviation have partnered to provide and maintain pilot training and related services to the French air force.

The two are forming a joint venture company for work on the FOMEDEC contract, which was awarded to Babcock by the French military procurement agency, Direction Générale de l'Armement, Dassault said.

"As the manufacturer of the Rafale, the spearhead of the French fighters, and of its advanced training companion, the Alpha Jet, Dassault Aviation bolsters this new project with Babcock, an outstanding provider of support environments, for the benefit of the French Ministry of Defense," Eric Trappier, chairman and chief executive officer of Dassault Aviation said. "With this program, we are very proud to keep on our enduring participation on the training of the French fighter pilots."

The 11-year contract covers provision of new training aircraft, related simulators and modernized training facilities at the French air force base in Cognac.

The initial flight trainer platform will be the Pilatus PC-21. Pilot training will be conducted by the military service.