This article is based on an official press release from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

EASA and French DGA Sign Agreement to Accelerate H160M Guépard Deployment

On January 14, 2026, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) formalized a significant new phase in their collaborative efforts. In a signing ceremony held in Paris, the two organizations established a specific “Implementing Arrangement” focused on the H160M Guépard helicopter program. This agreement is designed to streamline the certification process for the new military rotorcraft by leveraging existing civil safety data.

The document was signed by Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA, and Patrick Pailloux, the Délégué Général pour l’Armement. According to the official announcement, this arrangement operationalizes a broader cooperation framework originally established in 2017, moving the partnership from general principles to specific, actionable protocols for the H160M fleet.

Operationalizing Civil-Military Synergy

The core objective of this new arrangement is to define clear responsibilities between the civil regulator (EASA) and the military authority (DGA). By recognizing EASA’s prior civil certification of the Airbus H160 platform, the DGA aims to avoid duplicating airworthiness checks that have already been rigorously conducted.

According to the agreement details, the cooperation focuses on four main pillars:

• Scope of Responsibility: Clearly delineating which agency oversees specific aspects of the aircraft’s design and operation.
• Mutual Recognition: The DGA will recognize EASA’s airworthiness standards, allowing for the direct transfer of safety data.
• Data Confidence: Establishing protocols to ensure the military authority can trust the technical data produced by the civil agency without re-verification.
• Lifecycle Collaboration: Setting principles that cover the entire lifespan of the aircraft, from the current design phase through to its operational service.

This structured approach allows the French military to maintain sovereign oversight, a non-negotiable requirement for defense assets, while capitalizing on the efficiency of the civil aviation sector. The agreement explicitly states that this cooperation is conducted “without prejudice to Member State sovereignty,” ensuring that while France utilizes EASA’s technical expertise, the DGA retains final authority over the state aircraft.

The H160M Guépard: Bridging Civil and Military Needs

The focal point of this agreement, the H160M Guépard, represents a major modernization effort for the French Armed Forces. It is the militarized variant of the EASA-certified Airbus H160, which received its civil certification in July 2020. The H160M is slated to replace five legacy fleets across the French Army, Navy, and Air Force, including the Gazelle, Alouette III, Dauphin, Panther, and Fennec helicopters.

By basing the military version on a mature civil platform, the program benefits from modern innovations such as “Blue Edge” noise-reducing rotor blades and the canted Fenestron tail rotor. However, the military variant requires specific adaptations that fall under the DGA’s purview.

Key military-specific integrations include:

• HForce Weapon System: A modular architecture supporting cannons, rockets, and missiles, including the Sea Venom anti-ship missile.
• Advanced Avionics: The Thales FlytX suite and Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical systems.
• Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): The H160M is the first Airbus helicopter designed with native capabilities to cooperate with drones.

The new arrangement ensures that as the civil H160 receives updates or modifications, those changes can be efficiently validated for the military H160M fleet without restarting the certification process from scratch.

AirPro News Analysis

This agreement highlights a critical shift in European defense procurement toward a “War Economy” mindset, where speed and efficiency are paramount. With the H160M scheduled to enter service in 2028, the DGA is under pressure to field the aircraft rapidly to meet rising geopolitical tensions.

Historically, military and civil certification processes ran in parallel silos, often resulting in redundant testing and increased costs. By formally integrating EASA’s civil certification credits into the military program, France is effectively reducing the development risk and timeline. This model serves as a potential blueprint for future dual-use platforms in Europe, demonstrating how EU-level civil competence can support national defense objectives without infringing on sovereignty.

Leadership and Institutional Context

The signing underscores the evolving roles of both agencies. EASA, led by Florian Guillermet since April 2024, continues to expand its influence beyond purely civil aviation, acting as a technical partner for “dual-use” platforms. Guillermet’s background in integrating complex aviation systems at the SESAR Joint Undertaking aligns with this push for systemic efficiency.

On the French side, Patrick Pailloux, who took the helm of the DGA in November 2025, brings a focus on high-tech defense systems and security. His signature on this arrangement reaffirms the DGA’s 2013 mandate as the competent authority for State aircraft Design and Production, while acknowledging the practical necessity of utilizing EASA’s resources to modernize the French military fleet efficiently.

Sources:
EASA Press Release
Airbus Helicopters H160M Data