German & Spanish Armed Forces choose Thales rockets to equip their TIGER helicopter fleets

The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and Spanish Army Aviation (FAMET), who have been involved in different UN-peacekeeping missions and are currently deployed in Mali with TIGER helicopters, are increasing their capabilities with Thales’ rockets to meet their ambitions.

The German Procurement Agency (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support – BAAINBw) and the Logistic Support Command of the Army (MALE) of Spain awarded Thales for a batch of respectively 10,000 and 1,000 70mm/2.75in rockets to complete the weapon systems of their their UH TIGERs/TIGER HAD-Es. Deliveries are expected shortly.

Produced by Thales in Herstal, Belgium, the 70mm/2.75in rockets offer a high level of safety and efficiency recognised by their worldwide customers on both helicopters and combat fixed wing aircraft. The aim of this contract with the BAAINBw is to deliver practice rockets to meet the increased demand for training of the Bundeswehr. The rocket will feature a modified rocket motor FZ90 MOD.4 with reduced debris.

Thales’ 70mm/2.75in rocket system is part of the weapon system installed on the Spanish TIGER fitted with four light weight composite rocket pods, two of 19 tubes (FZ225) combined with two of seven tubes (FZ233), able to carry a mixed loading of practice and high explosive warhead. On their HAP configuration TIGERs, FAMET have used in operation the Thales Induction Rocket System since 2009. Complementarily, with this first batch of Thales 70mm/2.75in rocket, FAMET will now operate on their HAD TIGERs the best version of the 70mm NATO standard rocket, which is also in service in German and Australian Armies.