The Wire · live GRID-REF 37°47′N 122°25′W
DISPATCH 03/26 · 8 Sep 2026
BattlePolicy
Startup to front line. Strategy to consequence.
Lexicon · Europe

Airbus Tiger

Europe’s multinational attack helicopter — the Airbus Tiger is a twin-engine, tandem-seat platform that combines a chin-mounted cannon, anti-tank missiles, and a mast-mounted sight to give France, Germany, and Spain an anti-armour, fire-support and reconnaissance capability.

Airbus Tiger
FIG.01 · Europe Image - Airbus Tiger. Photo by Julian Herzog (Website), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Europe’s flagship attack helicopter — a twin-engine, tandem-seat rotorcraft that arms France, Germany and Spain with a 30 mm cannon, anti-tank missiles and mast-mounted sensors for anti-armour, close fire support and armed reconnaissance.

Overview

The Airbus Tiger (formerly the Eurocopter EC665) is a dedicated attack helicopter operated by France, Germany and Spain. It fills the same anti-armour and escort role as the American AH-64 Apache but on a lighter airframe optimized for the European theatre. Three main domestic variants were built — the HAP (escort/fire support) and HAD (multi-role/anti-tank) for France and Spain, and the UHT (anti-tank) for Germany — and the type has since been upgraded to the HAD-F standard in French service. Australia, the sole export customer, retired its Tigers early and replaced them with AH-64E Apaches.

🔒 The full Airbus Tiger file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Below the line: development history, design and capabilities, variants, the combat record, advantages and limitations, comparable systems, outlook, the full specifications table, our sourcing, and the analyst assessment — procurement, suppliers and the BattlePolicy verdict. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →

Below this point

  • Development
  • Design & capabilities
  • Variants
  • Combat record / operational use
  • Advantages
  • Drawbacks / limitations
  • Counterparts
  • Outlook
  • Key specifications
  • Sources
  • Analyst Section
  • Procurement & contracts
  • Suppliers & related companies
  • Comparable systems — analyst view
  • Analyst note
Related
Ukraine · Europe · PolicyPro

Ukrainian Drone Designs Move Into European Factories

Facing a $27 billion defence funding shortfall, Ukraine has stopped asking Europe only for weapons and started asking for production lines. The deals moving Ukrainian designs into European plants are inverting who supplies whom.