Paul Derby
French and German defence ministers will today give the long-awaited go-ahead for production of the Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter, with both nations signing up for initial batches of 80 aircraft each at the show.
The move will kick-start the production phase of Europe's largest military helicopter programme. Deliveries will start in late 2001.
Germany is ordering the UHT variant of the machine, equipped for anti-tank and support missions, while France is opting for the HAP escort/support configuration.
Eurocopter chairman Patrick Gavin, speaking at the handover ceremony for the 500th AS332 M2 Super Puma here yesterday, said: "We are absolutely ready for production to begin. It is important that we build on our position as number one in the civil market and increase our military market share. The Tiger helps us to do that.
"The signing also aids our overseas sales effort, with other countries seeing that our two governments have such faith in the aircraft."
The Tiger is competing for three significant orders in Turkey, Australia and Poland.
Industry analysts had feared that Gerhard Schröder's German government might seek to cut costs on the Tiger programme - either by reducing units or by delaying the in-service date.
Attention will now switch to the four-nation NH90 naval helicopter programme which is still awaiting the signing of industrialisation contracts. An MoU was due to have been agreed at the show this week but has now been postponed to September.
Source: Flight Daily News
