Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

Euronaval 2022
  • News
  • Event News
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
    • WDS 2022
    • DSEI 2021
    • MADEX 2021
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Airbus comments French Navy lease-purchase of H160 SAR helicopters
Airbus Helicopters' H160 (Credit : Airbus HC/Eric Raz)

Airbus comments French Navy lease-purchase of H160 SAR helicopters

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) is to supply four H160s to the French Navy for search and rescue missions through a partnership between Airbus Helicopters, Babcock, and Safran Helicopter Engines. The contract was awarded on January 31, 2020. The French Navy will start operating these helicopters in 2022 for a period of ten years.

Nathan Gain 10 Feb 2020

Airbus Helicopters press release

Babcock became the global launch customer for the H160 after signing a five year frame agreement for the purchase of a fleet of H160s in March, 2018. The fleet of H160s is destined for EMS and other critical services missions starting in Europe and to be deployed progressively across Babcock’s bases worldwide.

This interim fleet of H160s will enable the French Navy to ensure the continuity of these critical missions in the Atlantic and the Channel as the Alouette III retires from service and pending Guépard deliveries. Airbus Helicopters, and its partners, will also be responsible for supporting the fleet with a high level of availability and performance commitments. In addition, French Navy operational feedback will be monitored to benefit the design of the military version of the H160 and its support system.

“We are proud that the French Navy will be operating the H160 for their search and rescue missions. We are sure that the improved situational awareness, increased pilot assistance, and visibility that the H160 provides will prove to be a valuable asset for their critical and demanding missions”, said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO.

“Our industrial partnership with Babcock and Safran Helicopter Engines will allow us to ensure the highest level of availability for the French Navy and we are honoured to have been entrusted with this mission”.

Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO

The H160, as a next generation medium twin engine aircraft, powered by Arrano engines, was designed to be a modular helicopter in order to address missions ranging from offshore transportation, private and business aviation, emergency medical services, and public services. Its entry into service is planned for later in 2020.

First deliveries of the equally modular military version, the H160M, or Guépard as it known in the French armed forces are planned in 2026. 169 H160Ms are foreseen in the frame of the Joint Light Helicopter programme (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger: HIL) to replace five types of helicopters in service in the French armed forces.

Airbus Airbus Helicopters French Navy H160 HIL 2020-02-10
Tags Airbus Airbus Helicopters French Navy H160 HIL
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : Nathan Gain
Nathan is based in Namur, Belgium. He holds an MA in modern history with a minor in international relations from the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL – Belgium). Fascinated by military history he naturally turned to the defense sector after graduating and is particularly interested in Northern European and Belgian defense issues as well as in anything related to naval aviation.

Related Articles

First H160 SAR Helicopter Delivered to Babcock for the French Navy

First H160 SAR Helicopter Delivered to Babcock for the French Navy

Xavier Vavasseur 19 May 2022
The first of six H160 Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter was delivered by Airbus Helicopters to Babcock.
French Navy Receives 7th Upgraded ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft

French Navy Receives 7th Upgraded ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Xavier Vavasseur 08 May 2022
The seventh Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) upgraded to standard 6 was delivered to the French Navy (Marine Nationale)...
Launching of the Jacques Chevallier, first BRF Supply Ship for the French Navy

Launching of the Jacques Chevallier, first BRF Supply Ship for the French Navy

Xavier Vavasseur 29 Apr 2022
On 29 April, the first of the four force replenishment vessels (BRF - Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force in French) of the FLOTLOG program was launched in Saint-Nazaire.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved