In February 2020 was announced that 4 new H160FI ( flotte interimaire ) helicopters will be leased from Babcock for 10 years for search and rescue missions in the Atlantic and the Channel as an interim measure until arrival of the H160M Cheetah (Guepard).
On May 2021, the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) ordered 2 additional H160
SAR missions first scheduled to start in May 2022 from naval bases Lanveoc-Poulmic (LFRL) and Hyeres (LFTH) and the Cherbourg airport (LFRC). In January 2023 the first H160B arrived to BAN Lanveoc for trials and is expected to enter operational service with 32F during this year.
The H160FI modifications include military communications, the Euroflir 410 sensor, armor plates, and the cabin fitted for both surveillance and medical evacuation missions.
H160M deliveries planned to start in 2027
On May 2021, the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) ordered 2 additional H160
SAR missions first scheduled to start in May 2022 from naval bases Lanveoc-Poulmic (LFRL) and Hyeres (LFTH) and the Cherbourg airport (LFRC). In January 2023 the first H160B arrived to BAN Lanveoc for trials and is expected to enter operational service with 32F during this year.
The H160FI modifications include military communications, the Euroflir 410 sensor, armor plates, and the cabin fitted for both surveillance and medical evacuation missions.
H160M deliveries planned to start in 2027
News |
French Navy Receives Its Fourth H160 Interim Helicopter
24-Sep-23 - Babcock delivered the fourth of six Airbus H160 FI maritime search and rescue (SAR) interim helicopter to the French Navy #France
Cherbourg H160’s First Operational Mission
26-Jul-23 - French Navy’s 32F Squadron, based at Cherbourg and equipped with the “interim helicopter” Airbus H160, completed its first search and rescue (SAR) mission on Sunday, July 23 #H160
French Navy Continues Evaluation of H160 FI
10-Apr-23 - The French Navy leased interim helicopter Airbus H160 FI ( flotte intérimaire ) continues evaluations before being declared operational with the Flotille 32F #H160
Babcock Delivers First SAR H160 to French Navy
22-Sep-22 - The first of six interim search and rescue (SAR) Airbus H160B was delivered by Babcock to the French Navy. These helicopters will fill the gap for national missions replacing AS365 awaiting the delivery of the H160M Guépard from 2027 #H160| More News ... |  |
|---|---|
Units |
| Years | Units | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 2023- | 32F | Cherbourg Lanvéoc-Poulmic |
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Deployments List of Aircraft |
| C/N | Mod | Built | ID In this Org | In other Org | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1008 | 008 French Navy H160B, lsd from Babcock |  F-HMRE: Babcock France, test serial F-WWOA | |||
| 1016 | 016 16 French Navy H160B, lsd from Babcock | F-HTNS: Babcock France, test serial F-WWOV | |||
| 1020 | 020 French Navy H160B, lsd from Babcock | F-HBQN: Babcock France, test serial F-WMXX | |||
| 1024 | 2023 | 024 French Navy H160B, lsd from Babcock | F-HDBE: Babcock France, test serial F-WWOG |
