Has the Eurocopter Tiger Proven to be a Good Purchase for the Australian Army?

The Eurocopter Tiger ARH has certainly filled an operational gap within the Australian Army, but as to whether this was a worthwhile purchase compared to potential competitors, opinions vary widely. This article aims to explore the factors behind the decision and examine the operational history to determine if the Eurocopter Tiger was a good acquisition for the Australian Army.

Background and Initial Procurement

The Eurocopter Tiger (now known as Airbus Helicopters) has a unique place in the Australian military history, with the AIR87 project to procure 22 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters for AU$2 billion. This order was made in 2001 to replace the aging OH-53 Kiowa reconnaissance helicopters and the UH-1 Bushranger gunships. They were built partly in Europe and mainly in Australian facilities like Australian Aerospace and were delivered between 2004 and 2014. These helicopters are stationed at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, where they fall under the 1st Av Reg.

Evaluation of the Tiger ARH

The evaluation of the Eurocopter Tiger has been a subject of much discussion. The official Army website provides a brief description of the Tiger's capabilities and role, but the debate over its performance and value has spanned across various sources, including professional defense publications like Australian Aviation and Aviation International News.

Some sources focus on the extensive testing and exercise performance of the Tiger, highlighting its impressive capabilities. Others emphasize the logistical and maintenance issues that have arisen and continue to be a concern. The ongoing discussions about the cost of the project, including air dispatch times, equipment failures, and shipping from Europe, have also been crucial in assessing the overall value of the purchase.

Operational History and Current Status

The operational history of the Eurocopter Tiger speaks for itself. Despite entering service in 2005, the Tiger has yet to be deployed on any major operations as of 2016, 15 years after its introduction. In contrast, French and German HAD variants of the Tiger have been deployed in Afghanistan, serving alongside Australian forces that were present from 2001. The Australian ARH variant remained in Australia due to logistical concerns, while the U.S. AH-64 Apache was often used in the same regions.

The capabilities of the Tiger, equivalent to those of other contemporary attack helicopters like the AH-64 Apache, are comparable. It can deliver the same ordinance, including 30mm cannons, 70mm rockets, and AGM-114 Hellfires, and perform reconnaissance, close air support (CAS), and hunter-killer missions. However, it was the logistical concerns that prevented the Tiger from being deployed in international operations.

Future Plans and Replacements

The 2016 Defence White Paper outlined plans to replace the Eurocopter Tiger in the 2020s. The next upgrade under AIR87 Phase 3 in the late 2010s cost AU$1-2 billion. Other platforms, such as the Bell AH-1Z, have been suggested as potential replacements. Additionally, Boeing's AH-64 Apache has been mentioned as a possible solution.

Given the usage in exercises and the decision to replace the Eurocopter Tiger within 15 years of service, there is an argument that it has not been a good purchase from an operational standpoint. However, possessing a modern combat capability is undeniably crucial for the Army. The Tiger's advanced reconnaissance and attack capabilities have made it an important asset, despite its limited operational deployment. Its presence in exercise scenarios provides reassurance and ensures readiness.

My personal experience of seeing the Tiger in exercise further supports its value as a capable and highly advanced piece of equipment. It's a credit to the Army that they have such modern and formidable assets, even if they haven't seen extensive operational use.