Australian Aerospace signs ARH Tiger helicopter support contract with Thales Australia

Two of Australia’s leading defence and aerospace companies, Australian Aerospace and Thales Australia, have signed an important agreement to provide Through Life Support (TLS) for the Australian Army’s new fleet of Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH).

It is one of several key subcontracts to be awarded by Australian Aerospace, the prime contractor for the Tiger program, in the establishment of a comprehensive TLS arrangement for the ARH Tiger fleet in Australia. The first three (out of 22) ARH Tigers to enter service recently deployed to Darwin as the nucleus of two new squadrons – 161st and 162nd – of the Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Regiment.

Under the contract, Thales Australia will provide Australian Aerospace with technical, logistics and supply support services for a range of Thales equipment installed on the Tiger helicopters, specifically avionics, communications, electrical components and rocket subsystem, as well as the integrated TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and display system. Thales Australia will also act as a local single point of contact for all global Thales OEMs, including the company’s avionics, communications, electrical systems and military customer services businesses.

Said Australian Aerospace Chief Executive, Jens Goennemann: “This is another important milestone for Australian Aerospace, as this equipment is vital to the day-to-day support of the ARH Tiger helicopter”. Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia’s managing director, said: “With this contract we are again demonstrating the benefits we can deliver by combining our extensive local capabilities with our wide-ranging global supply chain.”

“Thales is proud to be associated with the Tiger program, and is looking forward to building on its close working relationship with Australian Aerospace.” The contracted services agreed to will be provided for a period of just under eleven years and, depending on the placement of orders for repairs, the provision of spare parts and the like, the contract price is expected to increase over this time.