France’s Gendarmerie Nationale has taken delivery of the first of 10 H160s it has on order with Airbus. The helicopter which forms part the Gendarmerie Nationale’s fleet renewal programme which began with the delivery of a an H145 in November.
The H160 is the largest rotorcraft ever operated by the Gendarmerie Nationale, providing additional mission capabilities. The first helicopter will be used for the standard acceptance process, operational integration and entry into service, which will last until early 2027. This step will also include the training and qualification of the crews and technical personnel, as well as the implementation of the helicopter’s operating procedures.
“The delivery of the first H160 to the Gendarmerie Nationale is the result of a close cooperation with the Gendarmerie and the DGA, to develop a solution entirely dedicated to the most demanding security missions,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “This programme is a testament to our commitment to the future of French defence and security, notably with the ongoing development of the H160M Guépard, whose maiden flight took place last summer. The synergies established between these two programmes directly benefit the French forces, ensuring an unprecedented level of performance and interoperability for critical civil and military missions,” he added.
Image: Airbus/Antony Pecchi
