French army receives first two HAD Block 2 Tigers

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first two upgraded Tiger attack helicopters in the HAD Block 2 configuration to the French army.

The new “navalised” aircraft – they can be used from ships – were qualified by the French directorate for armament on 21 November ahead of their delivery on 10 December, Airbus says.

The new configuration offers improved targeting for rockets; additional combat fuel tanks for longer endurance; an extension of the flight domain in which Rafael Spike and Lockheed Martin Hellfire missiles can be fired; and new digital communications.

HAD Block 2 aircraft will be operated by GAMSTAT – the aero-mobility group belonging to the technical division of the French Army – before being assigned to the 1st Army Combat Helicopter Regiment, located at the Phalsbourg-Bourscheid air base in France’s Moselle region.