PARIS, AMSTELVEEN – French defense procurement agency Délégation Générale pour l’Armement (DGA) has selected Air France Industries (AFI) and KLM Engineering & Maintenance (KLM E&M) to upgrade the French Air Force fleet of C135 aerial refueling tankers and their aging avionics. The contract also includes related support services.
AFI-KLM E&M has been commissioned by the DGA to make the aircraft compliant with recent regulatory changes enacted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and to replace obsolete systems. At the same time, the DGA has asked AFI and KLM E&M to provide complementary staff training and initial support services. AFI–KLM E&M will return the first aircraft to the French Air Force in early 2011. Delivery of the other 13 aircraft will then be phased through to 2013.
AFI KLM E&M is also approved to carry out work on airframes in most areas, in the same capacity as the aircraft manufacturer on the strength of the Part 21 certification obtained by the Group's Product Modification department.
"AFI-KLM E&M have the capabilities to carry out this type of modification, with over 40 years' experience on this aircraft," says Jean-Marc Roffi, 'Ingénieur en chef de l'Armement' within DGA. "We quite naturally took their tender into account initially and, after examining the technical solutions, we accepted their proposals, which are a particularly good match in all areas of activity."
"We are delighted to be working with the C135 again at AFI KLM E&M," says Alain Bassil, President of AFI. "Our experience and expertise with these French Air Force aerial refueling tankers have once again been recognized by the French defense establishment. Our know-how, dependability, and extensive capabilities were a perfect fit for the tender specification and proved the appropriate response to the need expressed."
