Eurocopter Tiger ARH
Australia's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter — the HAP with uprated engines, a laser designator and Hellfires · First flight 2004 · Retired 2026
Australia ordered 22 Tiger ARHs in December 2001. Based on the French HAP, the ARH adds uprated engines, a laser designator for Hellfire II missiles and 70 mm FZ rockets in place of French weapons. The first production example flew at Marignane on 20 February 2004 — the first series-built Tiger of any version — and the first two were delivered on 15 December 2004.
Final delivery came in December 2011, and the fleet only reached final operating capability on 18 April 2016. The ARH flew with the 1st Aviation Regiment from Darwin and took part in exercises across the region.
In January 2021 Australia decided to buy 29 AH-64E Apache Guardians to replace the Tiger. In April 2026 the government confirmed the Tigers would leave service by the end of the year, and the Army held its farewell to Tiger operations in September 2026, after 22 years.
