Germany to adapt Airbus H145 helicopters for combat role
The German MoD has expressed its intentions to buy 82 Airbus H145 civilian helicopters and convert some of them into armed aircraft to replace its Tiger fleet, internal military documents seen by BusinessInsider noted.
Berlin said it wants to convert 24 of the helicopters into H145M multirole platforms and arm them with anti-tank missiles.
The 82 helicopters would cost around £3.3 billion.
Related Articles
Airbus H145M successfully fires Spike ER2 missile
Airbus tight-lipped on Cypriot H145M helicopter order
Boeing joins Airbus team in bid for UK New Medium Helicopter
The H145M is capable of performing special operations, airlift, SAR, casevac/medevac, and armed scout and light attack missions.
The German Army operates 51 Tigers but was hesitant to buy upgraded models due to operational problems.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
-
UK, Japan and Italy discuss potential to bring other countries into GCAP programme
At the G20 summit in Brazil, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with a nod given to potentially widening the participation out to other countries.
-
US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.
-
Typhoon remains “at heart of UK defence” despite claims production has stopped
BAE Systems Air business has reaffirmed its commitment to the Typhoon programme as union representatives from the company urge the UK government to order 24 Typhoon jets.