French Navy to become first European military operator of Pilatus PC-24

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. Designed for exceptional 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 ideally suited for a wide range of government missions, including IFR pilot training, transport, and liaison tasks. Pilatus will provide its comprehensive CrystalCare support program, ensuring maximum availability and efficient maintenance for the fleet.

Jeremie Caillet, Jet Aviation’s president commented: “It has been a privilege to work together with the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique 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.”

Ioannis Papachristofilou, Vice President Government Aviation at Pilatus, 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.”

PC-24’s entry into European military service underscores the aircraft’s versatility and aligns with Pilatus Government Aviation’s focus on providing state operators with mission-ready solutions that extend beyond traditional training roles.

PC-24 is the world’s first business jet made to operate on short, unpaved runways. The Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment comes with a wealth of functions to deliver an exceptionally user-friendly smart cockpit approved for single pilot operation. The PC-24’s cabin volume surpasses even that of business jets costing up to twice as much. The latest version also has improved range and payload capacity.