Germany Outlines Helicopter Cuts

JERMAN-(IDB) : The German government has revealed the planned changes to the armed forces, which sees a drastic reduction in helicopter numbers.

Under the reforms plans outlined by defence minister Thomas de Maizière on 26 October, the army will lose its Air Manoeuvre Division while all operational army helicopter forces will be attached to the remnants of the Special Operations Division. The latter will be incorporated into the new headquarters of the Rapid Reaction Division.

Only 80 NH90s will now be acquired, instead of the original target of 122, and these will be concentrated within two light transport helicopter (LTH) regiments of army aviation at Fassberg and Niederstetten.

The changes see the medium transport helicopter (MTH) capability shift to the German air force altogether and it will take over the army regiment at Laupheim, including 64 CH-53GS/GAs (down from 82). The other army MTH regiment at Rheine-Bentlage will disband.

Particularly hard hit is the attack helicopter component. The number of Eurocopter Tiger UHT attack helicopters acquired will be halved from 80 aircraft down to 40, which is just sufficient to outfit a single attack helicopter regiment at Fritzlar. The other regiment at Roth, which was to have been equipped with the Tiger as well, will also disband.

The remaining 145 Bo 105 helicopters currently in service will also be withdrawn in the near future.

In addition, the German army aviation school at Bückeburg will be transformed into an international helicopter training centre.

Plans for a dedicated air force CSAR helicopter (with a requirement for 19 aircraft) will be shelved for the moment. The Luftwaffe will not receive any NH90s due to the decision to consolidate LTH capability within army aviation.

The procurement process for 30 new maritime helicopters will be continued to replace the 21 aging Sea Kings and 22 Lynxes currently in service.

All naval helicopter assets will be concentrated at Nordholz. The closure of Kiel-Holtenau, which is still home to the Sea King fleet, had already been decided upon before the current round of reform announcements.

Source : Shephard