The efficiency of air force weapon systems directly depends on the good quality of maintenance. After the difficulties the Armée de l'Air have encountered in that domain over the past few years, the French Defence Secretary (US)/French Defence Minister (GB) has decided to gather all the actors and services of maintenance in one joint structure called Simmad (Structure intégrée du maintien en condition opérationnelle des matériels aéronautiques du ministère de la Défense). It is directed by the Chiefs of each service, the Chief of the Gendarmerie, and the French Defence Procurement Chief. The Simmad has implemented an ambitious action plan since 1 (st) January 2001. It aims at putting right the logistic situation of the air force fleet and developing aeronautics maintenance for a better future.
