Chalair Aviation (CE, Caen) and its partner, French defence contractor, Défense Conseil International (DCI), have acquired a 95% stake in Vigie Aviation (Quimper). Vigie Aviation proffers airborne maritime surveillance services to the French government relating to search-and-rescue and pollution control missions.
DCI says the move will allow it to recapitalize the firm thereby ensuring the development of home-grown technology.
"Vigie Aviation’s ambition is to become the major French stakeholder in light Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), to the benefit of both our forces and France’s friendly countries. The proposed solutions will take full account of the constraints, especially of the Ministry of Defence and Armée de l'Air (CTM, Paris Villacoublay-Velizy) expectations," it said.
Chalair operates domestic services in France with a fleet of Beech 1900Ds and an ATR42-300 wet-leased from Regourd Aviation (Paris Le Bourget). For its part, DCI was created in 1972 to assist in the sales of French-made military equipment to foreign countries.
