Cites Faulty Wiring On The EADS-Built Aircraft

The German government has suspended its purchase of 80 Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters because the aircraft already delivered have extensive wiring problems, and are configured to an early specification which has since changed.

The helos are already five years behind schedule, according to the Times of London. The order is reportedly worth some $3.6 billion. Only 11 have been delivered, though Germany had expected to take delivery of 67 of the aircraft last year.

A Defense Ministry document said the Tiger has "serious defects particularly with its wiring," and it is suspending purchase "until the faults have been effectively and systematically rectified."

The German Defense Ministry says that, because of the problems, the first of the Tigers will not be available for deployment to Afghanistan until November, 2011 at the earliest. None of the 11 helicopters delivered has been suitable for training or operational use, the report said.

 
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Eurocopter says that corrective measures have been developed, approved by the German Defense Ministry, and are being implemented.

FMI: www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/en, www.eurocopter.com