Three French Tiger helicopters flown by Antonov 124 cargo aircraft have arrived in Afghanistan to support coalition forces.

The helicopters, the first Tiger’s to be sent to combat, will be operated by the 5th Regiment helicopters of Pau.

The French forces will deploy the hélicoptère d’appui et de protection (HAP) version of the Tiger for military reconnaissance missions and to support the coalition forces.

The helicopters will aid the three Caracal combat search and rescue aircraft and three Gazelle ‘Viviane’ reconnaissance helicopters already sent to Afghanistan from France.