Germany Unveils Phased Retirement Plan for Airbus Tiger Helicopters by 2032

Defense News ,Germany :- The German Federal Ministry of Defence has revealed the detailed plan for the phased retirement of the Airbus Tiger combat helicopters currently serving in the Bundeswehr.

Officials in Berlin disclosed that the final units of the Tiger fleet are slated to conclude their service by 2032. The current fleet of 55 helicopters will undergo a gradual reduction, reaching 33 units by 2028. Economic considerations have prompted an acceleration of the retirement schedule, as some helicopters were initially expected to remain operational until 2038.

The helicopters scheduled for retirement by 2028 will undergo systematic upgrades to meet the ASGARD standard. Berlin authorities highlight that the retiring Tigers will serve as a valuable source of spare parts for the remaining fleet, potentially enhancing the operational readiness of those helicopters still in service.

Concurrently, the German Defence Ministry is gearing up to introduce the Airbus H145M helicopters, contracted by BAAINBw in the previous year, as an interim solution. These helicopters will bridge the gap until the requirements for a permanent replacement are determined.

Germany's decision marks it as the second country to opt for the retirement of Tiger combat helicopters. In contrast, Australia has chosen the Boeing AH-64E Apache as its successor, while Spain and France plan to continue operating the Tigers, linking their usage to an upgrade to the Mk II+ standard.