SABENA TECHNICS AND THALES TO UPGRADE CN-235 TACTICAL TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS AIRCRAFT FOR FRENCH AIR AND SPACE FORCE

The CN-235 is used for tactical missions to drop paratroopers or equipment and for public service operations such as medical evacuation and can be deployed rapidly into theatres of operations. The 27 CN-235s will be upgraded with state-of-the-art avionics to allow integration into general air traffic, significantly enhance capabilities for tactical and public service operations, increase fleet availability and extend service life to 2040 and beyond.

As consortium leader, Sabena technics will perform the mechanical and electrical modifications and integrate the avionics equipment. In addition to supplying the TopStarC GPS receiver and inertial navigation system, Thales will also provide the latest-generation avionics derived from its TopDeck suite used on the ATR 72-600 commercial passenger aircraft.

The upgraded CN-235s will also feature the latest-generation Thales radio altimeter, which is immune to 5G interference, to ensure safe, high-performance navigation.

Thales facilities in Bordeaux, Brive, Châtellerault, Toulouse, Valence and Vendôme, and the Sabena technics site in Dinard, will be involved in the upgrade of the French Air and Space Force’s CN-235 fleet.

The first upgraded CN-235s will begin operations with the Air and Space Force in 2027.