France orders more Tiger HAD helicopters
The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters to supply seven additional Tiger HAD attack helicopters, the company announced on 22 December.
The addition of these helicopters will bring the French Army Aviation’s fleet of Tiger helicopters to 67. The helicopters will be delivered to the army in 2017-2018.
French Tigers have been deployed since 2009 in Afghanistan, Libya and Sahel theatres. While deployments in Afghanistan and Libya have come to an end, Tigers are still supporting missions in Sahel where the fleet has logged more than 2,000 flight hours since the start of deployment in January 2013.
The navalised version of the helicopter was deployed by the French Army Aviation operating off the Libyan coastline in 2011.
Guillaume Faury, president and CEO, Airbus Helicopters, said: ‘The French Army Aviation have put the Tiger to the test in multiple theatres and the aircraft has proved essential to the success of their missions. This additional order for seven Tiger HAD is a clear indication of its performance and we are proud to be able to support the French armed forces in their most demanding operations.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
