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.
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
-
US approves additional $39 million JASSM-ER order for JASDF’s aircraft
The contract for these additional missiles to equip its F-15J, F-35A and F-35B fighter jets follows its earlier request for 50 missiles in March 2024.
-
Lithuania to send an extra 4,500 drones to Ukraine despite delivery delays
According to local media sources, thousands of drones destined for Ukraine are currently stuck in warehouses due to bureaucratic delays.
-
How Chinese advancements will impact the future development of the US Air Force fleet
US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has said that China would continue to be a “problem” for the development of the service’s fleet over the coming decades.
-
Royal Thai Air Forces’ bid for Saab’s Gripens backed by defence minister
The Thai government minister expressed confidence in the aircraft type, noting that a decision on the selection process between the Gripen and F-16 would be “made soon”.