Aeralis expands into French market

Aeralis has announced that it has entered the French market, with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with a national ‘Red Air’ training provider on 26 April.

The MOU will see Aeralis and Secapem Defence Training Solutions (SDTS) explore light fast-jet aviation services in France.

“The MOU is designed to facilitate collaborative working to explore an aircraft service offering in the light fast-jet defence market, targeting upcoming contracts in French defence operational training and combat air support roles. It also seeks to explore the opportunities across the French market for ‘air support service’ hours, identifying the requirement gap in quantifiable terms,” the announcement said.

As noted by Aeralis, the MOU has been signed in the context of the recent signing of a bilateral government framework for future defence co-operation between France and the UK, agreed at a summit between French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 10 March.

SDTS provides ‘Red Air’ aggressor training to the French Armed Forces, utilising Aermacchi MB-339 and Douglas A-4N Skyhawk jets acquired from Draken International in the US. In signing the MOU, Aeralis is looking to pitch its still developmental modular aircraft for the role.