Julian Moxon/PARIS
The long-awaited contract for 160 Eurocopter Tiger anti-tank helicopters was signed by France and Germany on 18 June. Hopes that the four-nation memorandum of understanding (MoU)approving industrialisation and production of an initial 152 NH Industries NH90 transport and naval helicopters would be signed at around the same time were not fulfilled, however.
The Tiger deal is worth almost Fr20 billion ($3.3 billion) and will lead to the first of 80 helicopters for Germany being delivered in 2002. France has committed to purchasing the same number, with initial delivery the year after. The two countries have a requirement for a total of 212 Tigers for Germany and 215 for France, with delivery stretching into the second decade of the next century.
The order means that export efforts will be stepped up. Near term potential customers include Spain, with a requirement for up to 25 anti-tank helicopters. Turkey needs around 100 and Australia at least 20. The Tiger's principal competitor is the Boeing AH-64 Apache in all three competitions.
French defence minister Alain Richard says that the NH90 contract, worth between Fr15 billion and Fr20 billion, will be signed "before the end of the year". "All of the partners are agreed on the price and delivery timescales of the NH90," he says.
Changes in the requirements of each partner nation are still being made, however, the Netherlands having recently delayed delivery of its 20 Naval Frigate Helicopters (NFHs) by four years, to 2007, because of budget problems. Germany and Italy are committed to a combat search-and-rescue version of the helicopter.
The first batch of 152 machines will be made up of:
• France: 27 NFHs, first delivery 2004/5;
• Germany: four NFHs, first delivery 2007, 61 Tactical Transport Helicopters (TTH) first delivery 2003;
• Italy: 25 TTHs, first delivery 2004, 15 NFHs, first delivery 2004;
• The Netherlands: 20 NFHs.
The four nations require 619 helicopters. France, Germany and Italy will each have final assembly lines, although Germany will build only the TTH, taking its NFHs from the French line at Marignanne. Dutch NFHs will be sourced from Italy.
Source: Flight International
