Caged Tiger: Germany’s Troubled Helicopter Purchase

Tiger HAC/UHT

Germany’s EC665 Tiger UHT/HAC scout and attack helicopters have traveled a long road since the initial 1984 requirement that launched the program. They were originally slated for service in 1992, but technical delays have dogged the project. Schedule slips and funding shortfalls meant that the EUR 3 billion for 80 helicopters wasn’t placed until 1998. Deliveries from Eurocopter began in 2003, but instead of having 67 helicopters in service by the end of 2009, Germany had just 11 – none of which are considered fit for operations, or even for training.

That issue came to a head in May 2010, as the German government moved to suspend the contract until these technical issues are fixed:

• Unterstutzungshubschrauber: Germany’s Tiger UHT/HAC
  
• Updates & Key Events
  
• Additional Readings
  

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