Eure (27): Formation of a Franco-German squadron at 105th Air Base

Earlier this week, Jean-Yves Le Drian (Minister of Defence) and the German minister, Ursula von der Leyen, travelled to Berlin to sign an intergovernmental agreement on the creation of a Franco-German tactical unit at Air Base 105 This Franco-German squadron will be operational by 2021 and will comprise around 200 aircrew, the majority of whom will be German. The commander of this air fleet will be a French officer, assisted by a German deputy. The aim of this joint unit is to share the operating and maintenance costs of the C-130J (Hercules) aircraft that both countries plan to purchase to replace the C-160 (Transall). The squadron could be equipped with up to 12 aircraft, with the first deliveries expected as early as the end of 2017.

Signing of the intergovernmental agreement on the C130J in Berlin with my German counterpart, Ursula von der Leyen pic.twitter.com/BIYW2KmAId

— Jean-Yves Le Drian (@JY_LeDrian) 10 April 2017

The Defence Minister has welcomed this alliance: “This is a major step forward and a crucial qualitative shift in Franco-German military cooperation.” He also emphasised that the two countries must “provide mutual assistance in the event of a crisis and generate synergies”.   There are already a number of international partnerships involving the Air Force:

• a Franco-Belgian training squadron at Cazaux
• a Qatari training unit in Mont-de-Marsan
• A German officer is based in Orléans and is working on the A400M
• A French officer is stationed in Germany and works on the A400M