Military helicopters: the French army's finest models!

Are you interested in military helicopters, soldier? Military helicopters are high-performance, multi-purpose means of air transport. They are used by the armed forces for a wide range of functions, including refueling, transporting soldiers and equipment, reconnaissance and attack missions, and emergency medical rescue.

Transport helicopters, attack helicopters... here's everything you need to know about the French Army's military helicopters!

The different types of military helicopter

As with military aircraft, there are different types of military helicopter. They are divided according to their function in the French Army. Find out more about transport and attack helicopters!

Transport helicopters

Military transport helicopters are used to transport people and equipment. There are several types of transport helicopter:

• helicopters for transporting supplies (refuelling)
• civil passenger helicopters
• military emergency helicopters for rescue and medical evacuation missions

These large military helicopters are equipped with modern navigation systems for safe air transport. They are also used on humanitarian missions to rescue civilians or supply units.

Attack helicopters

As you may have gathered from their name, military attack helicopters are used for air defense missions. They can be used for reconnaissance, observation, attack and air defense. These military helicopters are agile and highly maneuverable, and can be used for fast maneuvers in difficult areas.

Attack helicopters are equipped with cannons, missiles and rockets, enabling them to provideperfect air defense. They are a very important part of the French Army!

Read our article on the speed of fighter jets!

The French army's military helicopters

TheFrench Army has a large fleet of helicopters. Cougar AS 532 helicopter, GAZELLE helicopter or Pilatus PC-6 military helicopter... Here are all the military helicopters owned by the French Army!

Cougar AS 532 military helicopter: a versatile transport helicopter

TheCougar AS 532 military helicopter is a versatile transport helicopter. It is a twin-engine all-weather tactical transport helicopter that can be equipped in several versions. It is used by the French Army. It has 1900 hp per turbine and a cruising speed of around 260 km/h.

Caracal EC 725 military helicopter: a rescue transport helicopter

TheCaracal EC 725 military helicopter is used exclusively by the 4th special forces helicopter regiment. It is a tactical transport helicopter used for search and rescue (medical evacuation) and special forces missions. It can carry 10 stretchers and between 10 and 15 people on board.

GUEPARD military helicopter: a HIL helicopter

TheGUEPARD military helicopter is part of the HIL (Helicopter Interarmées Légères) program, which aims to equip the three armed forces with a single fleet. The GUEPARD helicopter (model H160M) is used for armed reconnaissance, fire support, infiltration of special forces and medical evacuation.

TIGER military helicopter: the best combat helicopter!

TheTIGRE military helicopter is one of the French Army's attack helicopters. It has a high speed (250 km/h) and is used for reconnaissance, attack, destruction, interception, escort or collection missions. It is equipped with a 30 mm cannon, 68 mm rockets, Mistral missiles and Hellfire missiles.

The TIGRE military helicopter is designed to equip the French Army's airmobile formations. It can also destroy helicopters and light flying machines, day and night.

TheTIGRE military helicopter is renowned asone of the world's finest attack helicopters.

NH 90 military helicopter: a transport helicopter

The Army'sNH90 military helicopter is a twin-engine maneuver and assault transport helicopter (HMA). It is mainly used to transport equipment or personnel (around 20 people). Thanks to its flight capabilities, it can also carry out SAR (Search and Rescue), medical evacuation, heliborne command post and parachute missions.

The NH 90 military helicopter is the first helicopter with a series of fly-by-wire controls. It is renowned for its maneuverability and high levels of safety and maneuverability.

GAZELLE military helicopter: a protection helicopter

TheGAZELLE military helicopter is the French Army's protection and defense helicopter. It provides air-to-air defense against slow-moving aircraft and helicopters.

This high-performance military helicopter is equipped with a GATLING system (M134) on the port side, HOT missiles and a STRIKE arm with Barett / Hecate / Sako / HK 417 rifles. This military helicopter can reach speeds of up to 280 km/h.

Pilatus PC-6 military transport helicopter

Introducing a new transport helicopter for the French Army! The Pilatus PC-6 helicopter is used for passenger transport, convoying, parachute drops and light cargo deliveries. It can also be used to supply spare parts for scheduled and unscheduled missions (red emergency).

It is unarmed, but powered by a 550hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop.

The most beautiful military helicopters of foreign armies

The world's other powerful armies also have very good attack helicopters! Here are a few names of excellent military attack helicopters used abroad. Some of these helicopters are used in Europe and are among the most powerful in the world.

The American BLACK HAWK helicopter

This American helicopter is the U.S. Army's primary utility and assault transport. Unfortunately, the Blackhawk 's reputation was established by an incident in Mogadishu in 1993, when two of its aircraft were shot down in fierce aerial combat. Nevertheless, it is an excellent combat and assault helicopter, used for rescue, evacuation and supply missions. It also carries out aerial firefighting and border patrol missions.

MI-24 military helicopter

TheMI-24 military helicopter is one of the world's most famous assault helicopters! It's easily recognizable by the shape of its heavily armored cockpit, with an artillery turret under the nose. The MI-24 military helicopter is a true flying tank that never ceases to impress. It is used by the Soviet army and by some 50 countries around the world. Production stopped in 1991.

Chinook military helicopter

Developed during the Vietnam War, the Chinook is an imposing helicopter that has undergone numerous transformations. The Chinook's unique tandem rotor design lifts it off the ground, allowing maximum use of engine power.

This makes it a transport aircraft capable of carrying large loads at high altitude, such as 10,800kg or 55 soldiers! It can also perform numerous maneuvers, such as the famous pinnacle maneuver. It's a truly impressive transport helicopter!

The American APACHE helicopter

TheAPACHE helicopter is one of the best combat helicopters in the world. It was developed in the USA and is a real workhorse! It is highly regarded throughout the Western world, and has taken part in every US and NATO conflict.

The APACHE military helicopter has excellent weapons: Hellfire missiles, an M320 chain gun with 1200 rounds of 30mm ammunition and Hydra rockets. Its unique features considerably reduce the risk of being hit by enemy missiles.

Become a helicopter pilot in the French army

Are you so passionate about helicopters that you want to make them your profession andjoin the French Army? Become a helicopter pilot officer! To become a helicopter pilot, you'll need tojoin the Army and meet a number of selection criteria:

• Be of French nationality.
• Be under 27 years of age on the date the contract is signed.
• A general or vocational baccalaureate with a major in science and/or electronics.
• Physical and psychological fitness (must pass military medical examination)
• A good level of English.

Once you've been recruited, if you're suitable to join the Army, you'll join the ranks to train as a helicopter pilot officer. First of all, you'll follow a 14-week initial training course common to all officer cadets at theSaint-Cyr Coëtquidan school. Then, you will undergo 15 months of specialty training at theÉcole de l'Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre in Dax. Finally, you'll spend 30 to 52 weeks at EALAT in Le Cannet-Des-Maures, specializing in your chosen field.

You'll be paid for your training as a helicopter pilot, and enjoy all the benefits reserved for French military personnel (company housing, SNCF discounts, etc.). At the end of your helicopter pilot officer training, you'll be entitled to a salary of €1,700 net. This salary will be re-evaluated every year. Depending on your family and personal situation, you may also receive additional bonuses.

If you're interested in military aircraft, you can also become a fighter pilot in the French Army.