French Navy Receives Final Batch of Six H160 Helicopters

Defense News ,France :-  The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has finished delivering the last of six H160 helicopters. These helicopters, ordered in 2020 and 2021 from Airbus Helicopters, Babcock France, and Safran Helicopter Engines, are stationed at the Lanvéoc-Poulmic Naval Air Base.

The H160s have a crucial role in maritime rescue alert missions (Secmar), replacing older Caïman Marine, Dauphin, and Panther helicopters. This shift allows the older helicopters to return to their primary job of air-sea combat on French Navy ships.

The H160 helicopters, designed for sea rescue operations, started deployment in 2023 from Cherbourg Airport and naval air bases. After more than 1,500 hours of flight time and numerous successful rescue missions, the feedback has been very positive. This input is helping develop the H160M “Guépard,” the military version under the Light Joint Helicopter (HIL) Programme managed by the DGA, as showcased at the 2023 Le Bourget Air Show.

Manufactured by Airbus Helicopters with additional features by Babcock France, these H160s are equipped with a winch, the Euroflir 410 optoelectronic system by Safran Electronics & Defence, and modular cabins for optimized layouts suited for maritime missions. They are also certified for night vision goggle flights, crucial for night missions.

Babcock France, in partnership with Airbus Helicopters and Safran Helicopter Engines, ensures high aircraft availability. This collaboration is vital for sustaining maritime rescue missions along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, as well as the English Channel.