Germany Orders 82 Airbus H145M Helicopters for Military Modernization and to Phase Out Highly Troubled Tiger Combat Helicopters

 

Germany Orders 82 Airbus H145M Helicopters for Military Modernization and to Phase Out Tiger Combat Helicopters

Germany has initiated a significant overhaul of its military helicopter fleet with the procurement of up to 82 light-attack versions of Airbus Helicopters' H145 twin-engine aircraft. This acquisition, announced as the largest order for the armed H145M model, is designed to temporarily replace the German Army's Tiger attack helicopters, which have encountered operational challenges.

The decision, confirmed by the German Parliament's budget committee on December 13, led to an immediate commissioning of Airbus to supply the helicopters by Germany's defense materiel agency—the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support.

The €100 billion ($109 billion) special fund allocated for military modernization in Germany will finance this procurement. Alongside the aircraft, the purchase includes spare parts, eight simulators, training for both flight and technical personnel, and operational services over a seven-year period.

Of the 82 helicopters, the German Army will receive 57 units, while the Luftwaffe's special forces will acquire five, supplementing the 15 H145Ms already in service. There is an option for an additional 20 helicopters, bringing the total potential procurement to 82.

The strategic shift towards H145M helicopters, recognized as a "lightweight attack helicopter" (LKH) by the German defense materiel agency, underscores a reevaluation prompted by geopolitical events such as Russia's actions in Ukraine. These new helicopters are expected to serve a multi-role purpose for both the army and the air force.

Notably, the H145M, with its adaptable mission capabilities, is poised to fill various roles, including light attack, training, and liaison tasks. Germany's choice of an available helicopter type, already in use by special forces and in rescue missions, aligns with the immediate operational requirements and negates the need for costly type transfers.

Airbus Helicopters' CEO Bruno Even expressed pride in securing the order, emphasizing the H145M's operational versatility and Airbus's commitment to a prompt delivery schedule. The first batch of helicopters is slated for delivery in 2024, less than a year after the contract signing.

These helicopters will be equipped with HForce, a weapon management system developed by Airbus, enabling training consistency for pilots and operational personnel. The H145M, a variant of the H145 family, known for its reliability, will play a pivotal role in enhancing Germany's military capabilities.

This procurement marks a substantial advancement in Germany's military modernization efforts and signals a strategic transition to advanced and adaptable helicopter technology, ensuring heightened defense readiness in response to evolving security challenges.

Germany has withdraw Patriot Missiles from Turkey

Germany has withdrawn its Patriot missile systems from Turkey, three years after bringing them in to contribute to the defense of Turkish airspace from possible threats from Syria.
All parts of the German patriot air missile defense systems have been loaded on a Danish ro-ro ship named “Britannia Seaways”.
The German government announced earlier this year that the patriot defense system was set to be withdrawn as its term would terminate early January 2016.
The patriot systems were demounted from Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaraş, where it was positioned for three years.
The German patriot was deployed to the Gazi Barracks in Kahramanmaraş in January 2013, after Turkey’s appeal to NATO, against missile attack threats from Syria.
A military ceremony marking the term end of the Patriots was held at the barracks last month.
Currently, the only patriot batteries stationed in Turkey are Spain’s, which are located in the southern province of Adana.
Initially, the Dutch, U.S. and German missile systems were stationed in early 2013. Spanish patriots replaced the Dutch systems early 2015.
Spain agreed to extend its patriot surface-to-air missiles along Turkey’s border to shoot down any missiles from Syria’s conflict fired into Turkish territory.
hurriyetdailynews

Germany Signs Deal for 18 NFH90 To Replace Navy Sea King

Germany has finally confirmed a deal that will see it order 18 new NH Industries NH90 NFH helicopters for its navy, while at the same time trimming commitments for the troop transport variant and Airbus Helicopters Tigers.
However, the German army will now receive 80 instead of 122 NH90s, with two further airframes for training and 22 more covered by options. In addition, its order for the Tiger will fall to a total of 68 attack helicopters. However, 11 early-build examples will be immediately retired from service, with the army targeting a future frontline fleet of just 40.
Deliveries of the Sea Lion model are due to commence in 2018, as the German navy retires its fleet of Westland Sea King 41s.
Germany has a difficult relationship with the NH90, having recently temporarily grounded the 10.6t troop transport variant over safety concerns.
flightglobal

German NH90s to Be Allowed to Fly Again, South Korea May Shop for V-22s

Germany is to allow its problematical NH90s back into the air after the most recent fire incident. It has a protocol solution external link that involves adding steps to takeoff that would allow a pilot to anticipate imminent flames. A longer-term solution is still in the works.
South Korea may be considering buying into the V-22 Osprey external link program, with consideration being given to the need to protect islands against a foe that tends to pop up in unexpected places.
defenseindustrydaily

Airbus delivers the German Army’s final upgraded Tiger support helicopter for deployment in Afghanistan

The Germany Army received the last of 12 Tiger UHT support helicopters upgraded by Airbus Helicopters for Afghanistan missions to support ground troops, protect convoys and perform reconnaissance operations.
It completed the three batches of four Tiger UHT support helicopters modified to the ASGARD (Afghanistan Stabilization German Army Rapid Deployment) configuration through a program launched in late 2011 by Airbus Helicopters and the German Federal Ministry of Defense. The ASGARD conversion includes installation of engine sand filters and additional ballistic protection, along with the incorporation of a mission data recorder and enhanced communication equipment for multinational missions.
The German Armed Forces began deploying its initial Tiger UHTs modified to the ASGARD configuration in December 2012, with operations beginning a month later in Mazar-e-Scharif.
To date, these ASGARD-upgraded Tigers have accumulated well over 1,000 flight hours in German military service.

German NH90s Bound for Afghanistan

A Volga-Dnepr Airlines Antonov An-124-100 took off from Leipzig/Halle airport on April, 17th with the first of four NH90s the Bundeswehr is deploying for the first time to Afghanistan on board.

Nicholas Fiorenza-aviationweek

Germany looking to buy weaponised drones from Israel

Germany is in talks with Israel to buy weaponized drones for its military that are seen as more technologically advanced than US ones, the weekly Der Spiegel reported.

defencetalk

Germany cuts Tiger and NH90 TTH orders, adds more NFHs

Eurocopter SAS, the world’s largest helicopter maker, had a German government order for attack and transport rotorcraft curtailed after more than a year of discussions over how to restructure the deal.
An agreement signed today cuts Germany’s Tiger attack helicopter program to 57 units from 80 and the number of NH90 troop transports to 82 units from 122, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. Germany will add 18 NFH90 maritime helicopters under the terms of the agreement, it said.
The German government has sought to amend the deal with Eurocopter, the helicopter arm of Toulouse, France-based European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD), to cut spending and bring the number of rotorcraft in line with a smaller military. The company, on the other hand, had been trying to assure its production capacities would not be undermined.
“The outcome is a clear win-win situation for both parties, and provides those involved with a resilient and sustainable solution for the future,” Eurocopter spokesman Christoph Mueller said by e-mail. “We took a tough stance in our negotiations, but our discussions were most constructive.”
Eurocopter has agreed to buy back 11 Tiger attack helicopters already handed over, the ministry said. The contract change, which still needs to be finalized, will free up significant budget, it said.

bloomberg

German Air Force starts operation of CH-53 MTA

The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has started using the ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-built mission tactical workstation (MTA) on its CH-53SG transport helicopters in Afghanistan.
The pallet-mounted MTA systems were delivered by the company as part of the CH-53 personnel recovery (PR) capability upgrade package in the middle of 2012.
airforce-technology

German Tiger helicopters start flights in Afghanistan

Four German Tiger attack helicopters that arrived in Afghanistan recently have started flying near Mazar-e Sharif, in northern Afghanistan.


alert5

stripes

GERMAN TIGERS HELICOPTERS ARRIVE TO AFGHANISTAN

The first two German army Unterstützungshubschrauber (UH) Tiger combat helicopters have arrived in Afghanistan. The two helicopters had their rotors and other parts removed for the An-124-100 flight from Leipzig/Halle airport to Mazar-e-Sharif.

Nicholas Fiorenza-Aviationweek

German Tigers Bound For Afghanistan

The Bundeswehr will for the first time deploy Unterstützungshubschrauber Tiger combat helicopters to Afghanistan starting on 12 December, the German army announced today.

The first two of a total of four Tigers from Kampfhubschrauberregiment (Combat Helicopter Regiment) 36 will be airlifted by leased Antonov An-124 from Leipzig/Halle airport to Mazer-e-Sharif on that date, followed a few days later by the two others.

Once they arrive in Afghanistan, the combat helicopters will be prepared for a full operational capability during the first quarter of 2013. In Afghanistan, the Tigers will be used to support ground troops, performing security and reconnaissance missions, show of force and fire support, serving as an airmobile reserve, and escorting other helicopters.

Nicholas Fiorenza-aviationweek

German army gets first Tigers upgraded for Afghan duty

Eurocopter expects the German army to make its first operational deployment to Afghanistan with the Tiger support helicopter in late 2012 or early next year, having already delivered a first batch of aircraft to have been modified for such a commitment.

learn more

First upgraded CH-53GA handed over to Germany

Eurocopter has handed over the first modernized CH-53GA transport helicopter to the German armed forces (Bundeswehr).

learn more

Four Tigers Delivered to German Army for Deployment to Afghanistan

A significant milestone in Eurocopter’s Tiger support helicopter program has been reached following the delivery of the first four helicopters to be upgraded for deployment to Afghanistan. This now leaves the German Army in possession of a complete batch of ASGARD helicopters – a vital prerequisite if the Tiger is to be deployed in theater by the end of the year.

learn more