Ukrainian authorities have asked Australia to transfer them Tiger attack helicopters, which are now decommissioned and replaced by American AH-64E Apaches.
These 22 rotorcraft can operate at least until 2040. The Ukrainian Armed Forces plan to use them to fight drones. The Australians will announce their decision in the coming days.
Tiger was built by the Franco-German corporation Eurocopter. Mass production began at the beginning of the 21st century. Maximum take-off weight – 6000 kg. The capacity of each engine is 1300 horsepower. Maximum speed – 278 km/h, cruising speed – 230 km/h. Flight range – 800 km. Service ceiling – 4000 m. Weapons – 30 mm cannon, ammunition capacity includes 450 rounds.
The helicopter can use HOT, AGM-114, Spike-ER air-to-surface guided missiles, as well as Mistral and Stinger air-to-air missiles. Crew – 2 people.
These machines constantly had software problems that made them very difficult to operate for many years. A major problem was that the ventilation system frequently failed, allowing toxic fumes from the engine to enter the cockpit, leading to pilot poisoning. Now these flying “gas chambers” can be transferred to a hot spot, which says a lot about the attitude of the Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine towards their helicopter pilots.
