In January 2008, the French Ministry of Defence launched its first private-public partnership (PPP) under a contract signed with Hélidax. This company has been equally owned by Babcock MCS France and DCI (Défense Conseil International). Babcock acquired their half through the purchase of Avincis, a group of companies which included INAER Helicopter France – which was renamed Babcock MCS France.

Now Babcock have sold their half of Hélidax, with the following statement provided to HeliHub.com “We have agreed to sell our share (50%) of Hélidax to our joint venture partner DCI. This does not impact on any of our other operations in France or elsewhere.”

This provides very little more than the confirmation of sale. The transaction is being reported in France as the result of a proposed restructuring within Babcock International Group related to Brexit, with the transfer of their shares in Hélidax from Babcock MCS France to Babcock International France. Instead, DCI exercised its right of pre-emption and acquired them instead, thus becoming the sole owner.

Hélidax provides basic helicopter pilot training for all three services in the French military (Air Force, Navy, Army) as well as the Gendarmerie, and a few other organisations from Dax, in southwest France. The company has a PPP contract until 2030 for the operation of 36 Airbus EC120B helicopters which fly over 20,000 hours per year.

DCI is 49% owned by the French Government

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com