Babcock orders PC-7s for French military pilot training and acquires L-39s

In late 2024 and early 2025 Babcock announced significant acquisitions to fulfil a new contract for the French military and for its international air academy. The Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA, French Armament Agency) announced on January 10, 2025 that it had awarded the Mentor 2 contract to Babcock International France Aviation. As part of the deal, the defence support company will acquire 22 Pilatus PC-7 MkX turboprop trainers and 12 simulators, sourced from Exail, which will be based at