EADS Socata is to supply the French military’s logistics and training arm SIMAD with complete support, maintenance and procurement services covering its own and other manufacturers’ aircraft. The aerostructures and general aviation specialist last week signed a 10-year contract with the French defence ministry to supply the services to the French army, air force and navy flight school, based at Cognac. The deal, a joint agreement with EADS Military Air Systems in which Socata is acting as prime, could be worth €175 million ($210 million) over its lifetime, says Socata president and chief executive Stéphane Mayer. Aircraft will be owned and operated by the EADS partners and used by the flight school on a power-by-the-hour basis. Socata will procure 18 Grob G-120 piston trainers over the next year for its client.
Source: Flight International
