By Ed Frankl

Airbus SE has signed a 10 billion-euro ($11.29 billion) helicopter contract with the French armed forces, the country's defense ministry said Wednesday.

The contract is for 169 H160M Guepard aircraft for France's joint light-helicopter program, which will begin delivery in 2027, Airbus said.

The agreement also includes the development of several prototypes and the delivery of a first batch of 30 aircraft split across the army, navy and air force, the European plane maker added.

Airbus will also provide support and training systems and maintenance for ten years, the defense ministry said.

The new program aims to replace five types of helicopters that contributed to combat, intelligence, transport, support, training and public-service missions with the single H160 aircraft, it added.

"Having the French armed forces, a world reference, as our launch customer for the H160M is extremely valuable," said Bruno Even, chief executive of Airbus Helicopters.

Write to Ed Frankl at edward.frankl@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 22, 2021 12:27 ET (17:27 GMT)

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