The French Navy will become the first European military operator of the Pilatus PC-24, following an agreement under which three aircraft will be leased through Jet Aviation France, acting as the prime contractor. The first jet is scheduled for delivery in February 2026.
The PC-24 is certified for single-pilot operations, equipped with a cargo door, and approved for use on unpaved runways. These features allow the aircraft to support a range of government missions including pilot training under instrument flight rules (IFR), personnel transport, and liaison tasks. Pilatus will provide maintenance and support through its CrystalCare program.
Jet Aviation President Jeremie Caillet said: “It has been a privilege to work together with the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé) and Pilatus on the selection and acquisition of the new fleet of PC-24s for the French Navy. With over 55 years of maintenance experience, including over 35 years working with governmental fleets, we are committed to providing our customers with solutions that are specifically tailored to meet their individual mission needs. We are delighted to build on our long-standing relationship with Pilatus to propose an acquisition and sustainment program that meets the requirements of the French Navy in terms of both the aircraft and ongoing maintenance and preparation of the fleet.”
The introduction of the PC-24 into European military service highlights its flexibility and suitability for multi-mission operations. Pilatus Vice President for Government Aviation Ioannis Papachristofilou stated: “We are delighted to see the PC-24 selected for the French Navy’s operational needs, highlighting its unique capabilities as a flexible and reliable platform for government missions. Our collaboration with Jet Aviation has been exemplary and instrumental in achieving this success, and we look forward to the first delivery in a few months.”
The latest version of the PC-24 includes the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), optimized for single-pilot operations. The aircraft offers increased range and payload capacity, and its cabin volume exceeds that of some larger and more expensive business jets.