France will deploy two fighter jets and a transport aircraft to Chad for military training as both countries move to restore strained diplomatic and defence relations.
The French military announced on Thursday that two Mirage 2000 fighter jets and a CASA transport aircraft would make a technical stopover in Chad in the coming days to conduct training activities.
The move comes after relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2024, when Chad terminated a six-decade-old security agreement with France and ordered French troops to leave the country.
However, ties have recently improved, with French President Emmanuel Macron hosting Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno for talks in mid-October.
Xavier Rival, spokesman for France’s chief of defence staff, said military cooperation had resumed in full respect of Chad’s sovereignty, adding that the French armed forces would help strengthen the capabilities of the Chadian Air Force.
He explained that the aircraft’s visit would take place alongside a joint military exercise involving the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and France in November.
During Deby’s October visit to France, both countries signed a declaration of intent to establish a new framework for defence cooperation.
France’s presidency said security cooperation had resumed at the beginning of the year, covering military training, equipment supplies and intelligence sharing.
Source: AFP
