The French military operates a total of 26 TBM 700 models across several branches of service, demonstrating the turboprop’s military role. Daher
The TBM 700 has found a niche not only in its use by pilots for personal and business use—the turboprop also serves in military applications, including a fleet of 23 TBM 700As and 3 TBM 700Bs deployed for the French military.
While the bulk of the fleet is detailed to the French Air and Space Force, with 15 aircraft, others are used by the army and the DGA defense procurement agency’s flight test program. The French military has renewed its services contract with Daher in support of these missions.
“The French Ministry for the Armed Forces is a demanding client that always has pushed us towards excellence, especially in challenging times,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s Aircraft Division.
“Recently, our teams were mobilized to meet the needs of the French armed forces, including the Gendarmerie, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chabbert said. “We are proud to continue our support in operational conditions with the new contract extension, marking its renewal for the fourth time.”
The contract covers expected activity of 10,900 flight hours annually on average logged by the French military’s TBM fleet.
The contract renewal includes the following services:
- Technical and logistical support (central technical assistance, on-site technical assistance, obsolescence management, and technical fact management and documentation)
- Maintenance of airframes, propellers, engines, parts, and installed equipment, as well as performing scheduled inspections
- Supply of spare parts and specific components necessary for support operations carried out by the military operators
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