The ceremony for the of the delivery of the 1st Tiger HAD-F MkII attack helicopter for France took place at the Airbus Helicopter facilities. The successful delivery to France was completed within the framework of a retrofit programme managed by the OCCAR Tiger Programme Division. The HAD-F upgrade to MkII brings significant operational improvement to the Tiger HAD, enabling it to retain its full relevance in the field. In particular, it incorporates the new laser-guided rocket, a new jamming-resistant GPS system and an IFF mode 5 for interoperability. This version also enables the Tiger to integrate the French Army Aviation digitisation bubble and operate in a network with the surrounding helicopters.
This first acceptance marks the start of the modernisation of the French Army’s fleet of 67 combat helicopters, which will continue with the Mid-Life Upgrade Programme to MkIII for France and Spain”. The Airbus Helicopter assembly line workers telling them how very proud they can be of their achievements of building this state-of the-art aircraft. France reduced its HAD target from 40 to 31 but in the meantime decided to retrofit 36 HAPF into HADF to have one common standard fleet. The Programme was placed under OCCAR responsibility since its legal status was achieved in 2001. In 2004, Spain joined the programme and its specific requirements for the platform led to the definition of a new version: HAD (Helicóptero de Ataque y Destrucción).
The Eurocopter Tiger is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003. It is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter). Airbus Helicopters designates it as the EC665. In France and Spain, the Tiger is known as the Tigre (which is French and Spanish for Tiger), while in Germany and Australia it is referred to as the Tiger. The TIGER programme was initially a programme between France and Germany for the acquisition of anti-tank and support helicopter systems in response to common military requirements. Three versions were initially identified: HAP (Hélicoptère d’appui et protection), HAC (Hélicoptère anti Char) for France and the PAH2 (Panzerabwehrhubschrauber 2).
The Tiger is capable of undertaking a wide range of combat missions, including armed reconnaissance and surveillance, anti-tank and close air support, escort and protection of friendly assets; and can operate during day or night in all weather conditions, and has been designed to include operations in the aftermath of nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare. The Tiger can also be used in the maritime environment, able to operate from the decks of ships including frigates, and during extreme weather conditions. The Tiger can be fitted with various armaments including rockets, cannons, and a range of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, controlled via a dedicated weapons control computer. Munitions for anti-ground warfare include the nose-mounted 30 mm Nexter turret; an assortment of external gun pods, anti-tank missiles, and up to four launchers for 70 and 68 mm rockets can be mounted on the Tiger’s stub wings.
