Airbus delivers first H160 to France’s Gendarmerie Nationale
The delivery is part of a large-scale renewal of the Gendarmerie’s helicopter fleet
Airbus has handed over the first of a batch of 10 H160 helicopters to the French defense procurement agency, the DGA, from an order placed in December 2021.
The helicopter will be used by the French Gendarmerie Nationale, and is due to enter into regular service in early 2027, following the completion of acceptance, operational integration, and the training and qualification of personnel.
The rotorcraft is part of the Gendarmerie’s helicopter fleet renewal program, which began following the delivery of its first H145 in November.
“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.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.