France to send fighter jets to Chad for joint military exercises

France and Chad are preparing to rebuild their military relationship through a planned technical stopover of French fighter jets for joint training exercises in November. Two Mirage 2000 fighter jets and a CASA transport aircraft will participate in the mission, which is part of a larger military exercise involving France, C4te d'Ivoire, and Gabon. This development marks a significant step toward restoring defense ties after the formal termination of the bilateral military agreement between Paris and N'Djamena in November 2024.

French defense spokesman Xavier Rival indicated that the stopover is specifically designed to include training activities aimed at developing the operational capabilities of the Chadian air force. This technical cooperation signifies the first major military engagement between the two countries since relations deteriorated following the withdrawal of French forces from the Sahel region. The previous breakdown in cooperation was largely driven by political shifts and a series of military coups in neighboring states, which had strained France's traditional security architecture in the region.

The move reflects a broader strategy by French President Emmanuel Macron to re-engage with African partners under a revised security framework. By shifting from permanent troop deployments to more flexible joint training missions, France seeks to maintain its influence and support regional stability without the same footprint that drew criticism in the past. For Chad, the resumption of training provides access to technical expertise and modernization for its air wing, maintaining its position as a key security actor in the heart of the continent.

This renewed partnership suggests that both nations find value in maintaining a strategic defense dialogue despite the official end of their previous pact. The upcoming November exercises will serve as a practical test of this new cooperative model. As the jets transit through Chad, the focus on capacity-building rather than permanent stationing may define the future of French-African military relations in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.