French aggressor company SDTS goes solo
The Rafaut Group, a France based supplier of civil aeronautics and defence equipment, recently continued its growth with the acquisition of Secapem (armed forces training ) and its subsidiary Lun’tech (radar solutions).
SDTS (Secapem Defence Training Solutions), a subsidiary of Secapem specializing in providing airborne operational training for the armed forces, is not involved in this acquisition. It will continue its activities as an independent firm.
SDTS provides Red Air aggressor activities on behalf of the Marine Nationale (French Navy). Based at Nîmes-Garons, at only ten minutes flying distance from the Mediterranean, SDTS operates four jets in the aggressor role. Two former Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Aermacchi MB339CBs (N344EM and N348EM) team up with two Douglas A-4N Skyhawks. These aircraft, registered N166EM and N167EM, are former Israeli Air Force machines.
The four jets are leased from Draken International in the USA. SDTS won the tender for its Red Air activities on behalf of the French military in 2015. These were then taken over from its predecessor Apache Aviation.
