TIGER HAD

Tiger HAD (Hélicoptère Appui Destruction)

Attack Helicopter

🇫🇷

France

Europe

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OVERVIEW

MANUFACTURERAirbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter)

YEAR INTRODUCED2012

UNITS IN SERVICE60

UNITS PRODUCED80

UNIT COST$43.0M

DESCRIPTION

The Tiger HAD (Hélicoptère Appui Destruction) is the Franco-German attack helicopter variant optimized for anti-armor and fire support. Developed through a joint France-Germany program, the HAD variant used by France received uprated engines and Spike-ER anti-tank missiles in addition to the original HOT 3. The aircraft proved its capabilities extensively in the Sahel, where French forces operated Tiger HADs in extreme heat over thousands of hours of COIN operations against jihadist groups in Mali and Burkina Faso. Its composite airframe reduces radar signature, while advanced avionics provide day-night all-weather targeting. France is currently developing the Tiger Mk3 upgrade to extend service life to 2040.

SPECIFICATIONS

TECHNICAL SPECS

Crew

Weight

6.6 tonnes

Length

15.8 m

Rotor Diameter

13.0 m

Top Speed

278 km/h

Range

800 km

Max Altitude

4,000 m

Engine

2× MTR390-E, 1,285 shp each

Armament

30mm GIAT 30M781 cannon; 4× HOT 3 or 8× Mistral-2 or Spike-ER ATGMs; 68mm SNEB rockets

Features

Stealth-shaped fuselage, composite airframe, NVG-compatible cockpit

COMBAT RECORD

COMBAT HISTORY

Afghanistan (2009–2012): French operations in RC-Capital. Libya (2011): French air attacks on Gaddafi forces. Mali/Sahel (2013–2022, Operation Barkhane): extensive COIN operations against Tuareg and Islamist insurgents.

GLOBAL DEPLOYMENT