https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ui-421307/
France will decide next year whether to advance the timeline for a wide-ranging procurement that seeks to replace hundreds of light and medium helicopters operated by all three branches of its armed forces.
Under the nascent hélicoptère interarmées léger (HIL) programme, Paris intends to begin the acquisition process in 2020.
France is seeking to replace a broad range of helicopters across different weight classes running up to around 7t, and performing a variety of missions. These include the air force’s Airbus Helicopters AS555 Fennec light attack rotorcraft and SA330 Pumas; the Puma transports and SA341/342 Gazelles used in the reconnaissance and light attack role by the army, plus its Fennec trainers; and the navy’s multirole AS365 Dauphin and AS565 Panthers, as well as the Alouette IIIs.