The French National Gendarmerie has taken delivery of its first H160 helicopter, handed over by Airbus Helicopters at the company’s Marignane site in southern France.
Ordered in 2021 as part of a 10-aircraft contract, the H160 becomes the largest helicopter ever operated by the National Gendarmerie and is set to enhance its mission reach and operational flexibility.
The initial delivery initiates the acceptance and certification phase, after which the aircraft will undergo operational integration ahead of full service entry. This multi-year process, expected to conclude in early 2027, includes comprehensive training for aircrews and maintenance personnel, as well as the implementation of standardized operating procedures.
Airbus Helicopters will support the fleet through a long-term sustainment agreement, providing technical support, pre-positioned spare parts at four bases, and digital operational tools.
The H160 delivery supports the National Gendarmerie’s helicopter modernization drive, which began earlier in 2024 with the introduction of the H145. Designed to work alongside the H145, the two platforms share core systems such as Helionix avionics, mission equipment, and communications suites, enabling streamlined logistics, training, and joint operations.
Built as a versatile multi-mission helicopter, the H160 can perform offshore transport, medical evacuation, and public service roles, and features Airbus’ newest aerospace technologies. It offers a cruise speed of 255 km/h, a service ceiling of 6,096 meters, and can be flown by one or two pilots while accommodating up to 12 passengers.
The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 6,050 kilograms, a useful load capacity of up to 2,000 kilograms, and is powered by twin Safran Arrano 1A engines producing up to 955 kW each. It can carry as much as 1,120 kilograms of fuel.
