SIMMAD, the French Defence Ministry’s Aircraft Through Life Support Organisation, has extended the through-life support contract for AWACS surveillance aircraft with Air France KLM E&M for a further five years.

The through life support contract will optimise the operational availability of the French Air Force’s AWACS aircraft.

As per the contract, four AWACS surveillance aircraft operated by the French Air Force will be provided the complete range of AWACS engineering support services, even during mid-life upgrade (MLU) operations.

AFI will be responsible for the aircraft technical and documentary support, mission-specific systems, and heavy maintenance concurrently with MLU work.

The company will also continue to perform MLU work on the aircraft that includes fitting more updated equipment under a separate contract awarded by Boeing.