Dassault Aviation has been awarded a long-term contract to sustain the Mirage 2000 fleet of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces' Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance. The 14-year deal includes all maintenance work for the Mirage 2000s of the French Air and Space Force (FASF) until they retire.
Dassault now supports all the equipment on the Mirage 2000 B/C, 5, and D models, including those with a mid-life update, which were previously covered by 15 different contracts. The engine maintenance and services are part of separate contracts, which are provided by SIAé (Service Industriel de l’Aéronautique).
Responding to the new contract, Eric Trappier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation, said, “This contract is in line with the DMAé’s strategy of verticalizing aeronautical maintenance, as called for by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, by assigning responsibilities for support to a single prime contractor.”
“Our expertise as an industrial architect and complex systems integrator enable us to take on contracts of this type. We are very honoured by this new expression of trust by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces,” he added.
Technically, the contract covers all electronic systems, enhanced technical and logistical services, and creating a presence of Dassault Aviation at the Atelier Industriel de l’Aéronautique. Electronic systems are primarily made by the French multinational company Thales, which specializes in designing and building electrical systems for industries like aerospace and defence. The logistical services under the contract includes a one-stop logistics centre at Luxeuil and Nancy Air Bases.
Dassault Aviation delivers six Rafale fighter jets to Greece
Meanwhile, France-based military aircraft developer Dassault Aviation delivered first six Rafale fighter aircraft to Greece. The delivery is a part of Greece’s deal with France signed in December 2020 to deliver 18 jets. The deal is estimated to have a combined value of $2.18billion.
Dassault Aviation has delivered more than 10,000 military and civil aircraft, including 2,500 Falcons, in more than 90 countries. The company employs 12,440 people and reported revenues of €5.5bn in 2020. Dassault Aviation specializes in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems.