French Navy to Become First European Military Operator of the Pilatus PC-24 in February 2026

The French Navy will become the first European military operator of the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet under a new leasing arrangement with Jet Aviation France, which will act as the prime contractor.

The fleet, built by Swiss manufacturer Pilatus, is scheduled for delivery beginning in February 2026.

The three PC-24 aircraft will be leased to the French Navy to support a range of government missions including pilot training under instrument flight rules (IFR), personnel transport, and liaison tasks. The PC-24 is certified for single-pilot operations, equipped with a standard cargo door, and approved for use on unpaved runways, providing operational flexibility for military and government use.

Pilatus will deliver its CrystalCare support program for the French Navy fleet, for better availability and maintenance.

The latest PC-24 version features enhanced range and payload capacity, along with the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), which offers a smart, user-friendly cockpit designed for single-pilot operation.