The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), in coordination with Airbus Helicopters, announced the completion of the delivery of the 30 Tiger attack helicopters modernized to the HAD-F standard for the French Army Aviation. The delivery of the aircraft identified as HAD-F 2045 marked the conclusion of this phase of the modernization program, jointly developed by France and Spain.
The milestone was confirmed on December 17 at Airbus Helicopters’ facilities in Marignane and is part of a progressive upgrade program aimed at extending the operational life and maintaining the relevance of the Tiger combat helicopter fleet in service with the French Armed Forces.
A program launched years ago
The modernization process of the Tiger helicopters has its direct origins in 2017, when Airbus Helicopters delivered the first Tiger converted from the HAP to the HAD version to the French Army, following formal acceptance by the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA).
This program involved the conversion of 36 aircraft, including more than 100 structural modifications, the installation of 1,500 new parts, and 250 new electrical cables. Key improvements included an increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW), the integration of upgraded MTR 390 E engines, and a new STRIX observation system mounted on the fuselage, equipped with a laser designator compatible with the Hellfire II air-to-surface missile.
In this context, the French Army Aviation Command stated: “this retrofit is considered a priority for the French Army and will allow us to field an enhanced weapons system and a homogeneous fleet. The first Tiger HAD helicopters have been tested in combat since 2014 and have demonstrated daily their wide range of capabilities in demanding theaters of operation.”
For her part, Alexandra Cros, Head of Government Affairs at Airbus Helicopters France, said: “we are pleased to have achieved this first delivery in accordance with our customer’s specifications. This modernization program will provide the French Army Aviation with the additional capabilities required to carry out its most demanding operational missions.”
Evolution to the HAD-F and MkII+ standard
More recently, in October 2024, OCCAR announced the delivery of the first Tiger MkII helicopter equipped with the HAD-F upgrade to the French Army, under an agreement signed in 2022 between France and Spain. This program places the upgraded aircraft within the MkII+ standard, incorporating improvements focused on interoperability and digitalization.
According to OCCAR, the new upgrade package allows the Tiger helicopters to “retain their full relevance on the battlefield” by integrating laser-guided rockets, a GPS navigation system resistant to electronic countermeasures, and an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 system, in addition to improvements in digital systems that facilitate their integration into the future combat networks of French Army Aviation.
European context of the Tiger program
While France continues to modernize its fleet, other European countries have opted for different alternatives. In November 2024, Airbus Helicopters announced the delivery of the first H145M helicopter to the German Army, as part of a contract for 82 units intended to progressively replace the Tigers in service with the Heer.
In the French case, however, the completion of the delivery of the 30 Tiger HAD-F helicopters consolidates the continued operational use of this attack platform, which has been deployed in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic, and remains a central component of the French Army’s aerial support and combat capabilities.
With the delivery of this final aircraft, Airbus Helicopters and OCCAR complete a key phase of the modernization program, while work continues toward the full integration of the capabilities planned for the MkII+ standard in the coming years.
*Cover image for illustrative purposes. Images within the article courtesy of Airbus Helicopters.
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