First of Three Pilatus Jets Slated for Delivery in February 2026

The French Navy, under a lease from Jet Aviation France, will soon become the first military operator of the Pilatus PC-24 ‘Super Versatile Jet.’ Deliveries are slated to begin in February 2026, allowing the service to move out its disco-era Dassault Falcons.

The deal is a major modernization step for the French Navy’s small-jet fleet, which has relied on the Falcon 10 since 1973. The Falcon’s speed and handling earned it a reputation as a solid little bird, but decades of service have caught up to it.

The Navy considered the Embraer Phenom 300 as a replacement but ultimately chose the PC-24 for its versatility and rugged design. The jet offers the same nimble performance as its predecessor with twenty-first-century avionics, lower operating costs, and a cabin that doesn’t smell like the seventies.

The PC-24 is known as the ‘Super Versatile Jet’ for a reason. It is certified for single-pilot operation, equipped with a large cargo door, and approved for unpaved runways, giving the French Navy a multi-role platform for both day-to-day operations and specialized missions.

Jet Aviation France, acting as the prime contractor for the three-jet purchase, will provide on-site line and base maintenance as well as airworthiness management under CAMO oversight. Pilatus will back the program with its CrystalCare support network to keep downtime to a minimum.

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

FMI: www.pilatus-aircraft.com