The Malaysia seems to be a closer perspective

The Turkish authorities would announce their choice between competitors who responded to the call for tenders for the acquisition of 50 to 90 helicopter gunships soon. While some doubts were at Marignane, at the headquarters of Eurocopter, on the possibility of a response as short term. But Ankara has recently confirmed this deadline to the rivals of the helicopter manufacturer. In competition with the Russian Kamov KA-50 Hokum, with the most recent version of the Italian A - 129 Mangusta produced by Agusta-Westland and with the South African Rooivalk, has much of its technology expertise for aerospace, the Tiger, the latest and most modern apparatus according to the experts, has a very strong chance to win. If he wins, it would be a revenge for the Franco-German group. In 1999, Eurocopter had been removed from the list of candidates running for the sale of transport helicopters to the Turkey, it having little appreciated at the time, the recognition by the France of the Armenian genocide and the German considerations on respect for the rights of man part of the Bosphorus. But it would also be a plus for the conquest of other markets.

While more than 206 firm orders for the Tiger have already passed by the France (80), Germany (80), Spain (24) and Australia (22) and 18 aircraft were delivered to ce day concerned armed forces, a success in Turkey would likely encourage other States, particularly in the Middle East, to look more favourably on this machine. As some armies in the region previously opted for the American rival to the Tiger, the AH-64 Apache, seem not satisfied with the Boeing aircraft. The favours of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates could go now to the Tiger, more adapted to combat low-intensity and a more powerful version with MTR-90 1-5 engine, developing 14 of extra power, is designed to evolve in arid climate and altitude. But the Gulf States are probably not the prospects which will give satisfaction as quickly on the segment of helicopter gunships. The Malaysia seems to be a closer perspective.

In Europe, if the France and the Germany is still not call into question their initially announced target of 215 aircraft for Paris and 212 gears for Berlin, it is reparlera probably not a new command of Tiger three or four years before. In contrast, the Portugal, the Switzerland, but also the Sweden, the Norway and the Finland could be seduced more quickly. This is the case for the Scandinavian States which have that momentarily delayed their joint project to combat helicopter and who have opted for the NH-90 transport. The latter, which has already conquered many markets for export, could also confirm his early success. With firm orders totalling 357 machines, more options for 187 copies, Eurocopter, joined the Consortium NHIndustries with Agusta-Westland and Dutch Fokker may now capitalize, once again in the Middle East. United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which are not very satisfied with the United States aircraft, could spend in the medium term a command of ten to fifteen devices each.

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Uncertainties for the HTH

On the segment of the heavy helicopters, Eurocopter appears to revise its ambitions downward. While European armies lack gear in this range and the EU defence industry has ever produced, MI-38 and HTH (Heavy Transport Helicopter) projects are currently at a standstill. Project HTH (a vehicle year, which can carry a load of 10 to 13 tonnes or 70 soldiers for a distance of 1 200 kilometres), unveiled in 2004 at the Berlin air show, it seems to the Greek calends. Of course, the German General for armaments and his counterpart delegation cooperate on a project of this type, representing 80 aircraft for the Germany, the France 20. The Germans, who will have to replace their CH-53 for 2020-2025, must have a replacement from 2018. But it is still unclear on the modalities for the development of such an apparatus. Only certainty: Eurocopter will not only launch. Despite the future needs of the armed forces British, Italian, Spanish... which will have to replace their old gear CH-47 "Chinook", the European market (200 to 220 units total by 2015-2020) is not large enough to justify the launch of such a program. It could, therefore, cooperate with a US actor - Sikorsky is regularly referred to - or with Agusta-Westland. For the time being, however, more than the development of a new gear, it is rather an umpteenth retrofit of the CH-53 and CH-47. P.M.