PARIS - France has deployedTiger attack helicopters to the United Arab Emirates to intercept enemy drones, marking a tactical shift in how modern militaries defend against low-cost aerial threats, the head of the French Army said.
In an interview with the French magazine Le Point published on March 30, Gen. Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the Army, confirmed that four of the attack helicopters are now integrated into a layered air defense network in the Middle East. While the Tiger was originally designed for reconnaissance and anti-tank warfare, it is now being utilized as a mobile "drone hunter" to protect critical infrastructure and military installations.
The deployment addresses a growing economic imbalance in modern warfare, where high-end fighter jets often fire missiles costing millions of dollars to down drones worth only a few thousand. Schill noted that the Tiger’s 30mm chin-mounted cannon provides a "very powerful" and cost-effective alternative. By using gunfire rather than guided munitions, French forces can neutralize slow-moving, one-way attack drones while preserving limited stockpiles of advanced missiles.
The move follows an intense period of regional activity in early 2026, during which French and allied forces have reportedly intercepted more than 1,000 drones. Military analysts say the Tiger’s success in the UAE provides a blueprint for the future of attack helicopters, proving they remain relevant in an era dominated by unmanned systems.
