French minister of defence Charles Millon has promised that the production-investment contract for the Franco-German Eurocopter Tiger anti- tank/support helicopter will be signed at the Paris air show in June.
The agreement would clear the way for production of the first batch of Tigers, leading to delivery to the German army in 2001, and to the French army two years later.
The move has been welcomed by Eurocopter, and effectively ends major differences between the two Governments over the initial commitment to the programme. Millon also confims that the total orders for the Tiger from each Government remains at 212 for Germany and 215 for France, although the timetable for the eventual procurement of all machines remains unclear.
Most industry sources talk of the Tigers being ordered in batches, according to budget conditions, although there is confusion over how many will be ordered in the first batch.
Germany, which is buying the multi-role version, has not notified Eurocopter of any change in the initial planned order for 80 machines - the figure agreed at the Franco-German summit meeting at the end of 1996.
The French Government, however, has provided only enough money in the 1997-2002 defence budget for 25 Tigers, although Millon says that the original figure of 80 still stands. "The remaining helicopters may be added at a later date," says one source, "but, for now, the tough French budget constraints mean that there is only enough money for 25 initially."
Millon also reveals that, of the 80 machines, 70 will be HAP escort support variants, with the remaining ten being HAC anti-tank versions. Signature of the production accord will mean that work will start at Eurocopter's Marignanne site, near Marseille, and at Dönauworth, on production.
Source: Flight International
