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France Airbus Helicopters
H160M Guepard
The militarized version of Airbus's civil H160, selected as France's joint light helicopter to replace the Gazelle, Alouette III, Panther and Dauphin across the army, navy and air force. Its Blue Edge rotor blades and Fenestron tail give it a distinctively quiet acoustic signature.
In service since 2025
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
325
km/h
880
km range
5,900
m ceiling
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
French export-licensed
CIEEMG inter-ministerial approval; broadly export-oriented.
Channel: DGA / direct commercial
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 2025. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 325 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 880 km |
| Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. | 5,900 m |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 2 |
|---|---|
| Troop capacity Number of embarked troops/passengers (IFV, APC, transport). Higher carries more. | 12 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | 2x Safran Arrano turboshaft |
|---|---|
| Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost. | 2 |
| Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster. | 1,300 hp |
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Turboshaft |
Specifications compiled from public Airbus Helicopters and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
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Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard? +
The Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard has a maximum speed of 325 km/h.
What is the range of the Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard? +
The Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard has a maximum range of 880 km.
How many crew does the Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard require? +
The Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard requires a crew of 2.
What engine does the Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard use? +
The Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard is powered by the 2x Safran Arrano turboshaft.
What is the Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard used for? +
The Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard is a helicopter typically used for isr, close air support.
How much does the Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard cost? +
Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepard: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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France's DGA procurement agency and Airbus Helicopters have completed the H160M Guepard's first armed firing campaign at the Cazaux test range, validating a 12.7mm axial gun and door-mounted machine guns years ahead of the helicopter's planned 2028 entry into French Army service.