French Army Pilatus PC-6s will be modernized

The Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre (ALAT, French Army Light Aviation) has issued a tender to modernize their Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter single-engined STOL utility aircraft. The deadline for receiving the offers on the tender is 14 December 2020.

According to the tender contract, of which details were revealed on 4 November 2020, the five aircraft will receive new avionics and balistic protection capacity.

More specific, the modernizations consist of precision navigation equipment, anti-collision system, a SATCOM system, full VHF/FM functional capability and ballistic protection kits.

The main goal for modernization is the future use of the aircraft on overseas operations, so called Opérations Extérieurs (OPEX).

The company who will be awarded the modernization contract must finish all work in the premises of the holder or of any subcontractors and at Montauban Army base.

The Pilatus PC-6 entered service with the ALAT in 1992 and all aircraft are currently operated by the Escadrille de Transport et de Convoyage de Matéria (ETCM) at Montauban, 50 km north of Toulouse.

887/MCA, 888/MCB, 889/MCC, 890/MCD, 891/MCE

Photo: JPMR, kindly provided by Escadrilles.org and ALAT