The European military helicopter industry: Trends and perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15355/epsj.12.1.20Keywords:
Helicopters, aeromobility, Europe, defense industryAbstract
This article discusses the European military helicopter market. It first recalls historical antecedents in the structural development of the main helicopter programs that helped to consolidate the industry and then reviews the industry’s current major trends. A paradoxical situation is identified: While European countries presently are able to cope with both, the growing needs in helicopter capabilities and the maintenance of ageing fleets, no large helicopter programs for the future have been launched. Some uncertainties regarding how future helicopter procurement will be organized are identified. The current situation underlines the challenges that European states will face to maintain both industrial skills in the industry and sovereignty in military helicopter capabilities. A number of industry options are discussed: more exports, more cooperation, more dual use, and more reliance on support and service sales.References
Belan, G. 2016. “Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger: Le Casse-Tête!” Air & Cosmos. No. 2498 (29 April).
Bousquet, G. 2016. “La Cooperation Franco-Britannique,” pp. 71-29 in Editions COMAERO, AACHEAr, La Documentation Française. L’histoire des helicoptères en France depuis 1945.
[DGRIS-IRIS] 2015. “Pooling and Sharing Dans Le Domaine Aéroterrestre.” Etude Prospective et Stratégique. Paris: Direction générale des relations internationales et de la stratégie (DGRIS) and Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques (IRIS). http://www.iris-france.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/EPS2014-Pooling-and-sharing-dans-le-domaine-a%C3%A9roterrestre.pdf
Droff, J. and Bellais, R. 2016. “Fleet Management in European Integration: The Case of Military Helicopters Support.” Defense & Security Analysis. Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 19–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/14751798.2015.1130315
[IISS] Institute for International Strategic Studies. 2016. Military Balance. London: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
James, O. 2016. “En Crise, Les Fabricants D’hélicoptères Préparent La Riposte.” L’Usine Nouvelle (February).
Marrone, A. and M. Nones. 2015. “The Role of Dual-Use Helicopters in the Security and Defence Field.” Istituto Affari Internazionali Research Papers.
Meddah, H. 2016. “Les Hélicoptéristes Militaires Entrent En Zone de Turbulences.” L’Usine Nouvelle (February).
Sheil, M. 1984. “The Evolution of the U.S. Helicopter Industry.” Master’s Thesis. Monterey, CA: Naval Postgraduate School.
[SIPRI]. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 2016. Arms Industry Database, 2002–2015.
