France Orders Seven Additional Tiger HAD Attack Choppers From Airbus

The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has ordered seven additional Tiger HAD attack helicopters, bringing to 67 the total number of Tigers that will eventually be operated by the French Army Aviation. The additional Tigers will be delivered in 2017-2018.

With its flat and narrow silhouette the Tiger HAD’s advantages include low detectability, low vulnerability, high survivability, high agility and manoeuvrability making it the attack helicopter best adapted to both symmetric and asymmetric battlefields with unique capabilities whether for air-to-ground or air-to-air combat, Airbus said in a statement Tuesday.

It is equipped with an extremely accurate 30mm turret cannon and a range of wing-mounted missiles and rockets together with a highly efficient electronic warfare system. The Tiger HAD is also navalised and can be fully operated from sea, as was demonstrated in 2011 by the French Army Aviation operating off the Libyan coastline.

The Tiger is a key asset in any operation, whether for direct combat or escort missions. It can be deployed anywhere thanks to its robustness and simplicity of use. It is easy to maintain and does not require heavy infrastructure.