The French Navy is set to become the first European military operator of the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet. The aircraft fleet will be procured from Pilatus and leased to the French Navy by Jet Aviation France, acting as the prime contractor. Delivery of the first of three PC-24s is scheduled for February 2026.
“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,” Jet Aviation’s president, Jeremie Caillet, stated.
“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.”
Designed for operational flexibility, the PC-24 is certified for single-pilot operations, equipped with a standard cargo door, and approved for use on unpaved runways. These features make the aircraft suited for a wide range of government missions, including instrument flight rules (IFR) pilot training, transport, and liaison tasks. Pilatus will provide its comprehensive CrystalCare support program, ensuring maximum availability and efficient maintenance for the fleet.
“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," Vice President Government Aviation at Pilatus, Ioannis Papachristofilou, highlighted.
The PC-24 is a business jet which has been made to operate on short, unpaved runways.