Aircraft & UAVs

Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter

Also known as
  • Tiger

The Eurocopter Tiger is a twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter family developed by France and Germany. Airbus describes it as combat proven and suited to armed reconnaissance, escort, air-to-air combat, ground fire support, and anti-tank missions.

Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Barkhane Gao 2017 photo

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
France and Germany
Built in
France
Type
Attack helicopter
Service note
2003-present
Designer
Eurocopter
Designed
1984-1991
Unit cost
Estimated US$30.8-40.6 million (2020 dollars)
Produced
2005-present
Number built
185 production helicopters

Specifications

Crew
2
Length
14.08 m
Maximum speed
Approx. 290 km/h
Powerplant
2 x MTR390 turboshaft engines
Armament
30 mm turreted gun, rockets, and variant-dependent anti-tank or air-to-air missiles
Variants
  • Tiger HAP
  • Tiger HAD
  • Tiger UHT
  • Tiger ARH
Compatible Missiles

Airbus says the Tiger HAD and Tiger ARH families can fire the Hellfire missile system in anti-tank roles.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyAnti-tank missile

Airbus says Tiger HAD variants are qualified to fire Hellfire anti-tank missiles.

Sources: Tiger missions

Tiger HAD Loadout

Airbus' Tiger missions page documents the Tiger HAD's standard combat fit, including its gun, rockets, and air-to-air missile loadout. The page also notes that loadouts can be swapped without changing the helicopter's fixed parts.

Weapon fitRoleDocumented details
30M781 30 mm turreted gunDirect fireLinked to roof- and helmet-mounted sights; 450-round capacity and 750 rounds per minute.
68 mm rocketsGround attackUp to 68 rockets, swappable without changes to the helicopter's fixed parts.
70 mm rocketsGround attackUp to 52 rockets, with the same swap-in flexibility.
Mistral missilesAir-to-airFour fire-and-forget missiles on outer launchers, with a range of up to 6,000 metres.
Timeline

Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter Key Events

  1. First Tiger HAP delivered to France

    Airbus says the first Tiger HAP was delivered to the French Army in 2005.

  2. First Tiger UHT delivered to Germany

    Airbus says the first Tiger UHT was delivered to the German Army in 2005.

  3. Deployed in Afghanistan

    Airbus says French Tiger helicopters were deployed in Afghanistan in 2009.

  4. Operated in Libya

    Airbus says Tiger helicopters deployed in Libya during the 2011 combat operations.

  5. Returned to Mali

    Airbus says French Tigers later operated in Mali during Operation Serval and Operation Barkhane.

Media

Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter Videos

Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter Images

Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Eurocopter Tiger HAC public domain photo
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Sources

Airbus Tiger overviewPublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports the Tiger's background, role, manufacturer, and basic design description. | Accessed: 2026-06-22Tiger technical informationPublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports Tiger system specifications and the multi-role attack helicopter configuration. | Accessed: 2026-06-22Tiger missionsPublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports Tiger HAD armament and direct conflict use because Airbus says Tiger helicopters were deployed in Afghanistan in 2009, deployed in Libya during the 2011 combat operations, and used in Mali during Operation Serval and Operation Barkhane. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Airbus Australia Tiger releasePublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports the 2001 War in Afghanistan direct use claim because Airbus says the Tiger was first deployed by the French Army in Afghanistan in 2009 and supported security operations there. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Airbus German ASGARD releasePublisher: Vertical Magazine | Note: Supports the 2001 War in Afghanistan direct use claim because this Airbus Helicopters release says German ASGARD-upgraded Tiger UHTs were fielded for Afghanistan missions from Mazar-e-Sharif for ground-troop support, convoy protection, and reconnaissance. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Spanish FAMET Afghanistan historyPublisher: Ejercito de Tierra | Note: Supports the 2001 War in Afghanistan direct use claim because Spanish Army history records BHELA I using three Tigre HA-28 helicopters in Afghanistan from March 17 to November 12, 2013, mainly to support and protect the Spanish withdrawal. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Airbus Tiger history PDFPublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports the first Tiger HAP and Tiger UHT deliveries in 2005 and the early production history of the Tiger family. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Tiger HAD retrofit releasePublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports the 2012 Mali War direct use claim: French Army Tigers were used in Mali and proved their capabilities during operational deployments there. | Accessed: 2026-06-22Tiger team rescue in MaliPublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports the 2012 Mali War direct use claim: French Tiger crews were used in Mali during Operation Serval and Operation Barkhane. | Accessed: 2026-06-22Barkhane Gao 2017 photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the image provenance and CC BY 3.0 licensing for the 2012 Mali War Tiger image. | Accessed: 2026-06-22Eurocopter Tiger HAC public domain photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the image provenance and public-domain status for the Tiger reference image. | Accessed: 2026-06-22Forecast International Eurocopter Tiger reportPublisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports the Tiger family estimated unit-cost range and the reported production count of 185 production helicopters. | Accessed: 2026-06-27