Above: Australia's Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter

Advanced training together with the successful deployment of French Army Tigers to Afghanistan, is a major milestone in the journey towards operational use in a theatre of war.
It's no secret that Army is keen to field its first offensive helicopter, but officials remain tight-lipped about any projected timetable.
Of course, whether Australian Tigers see action in Afghanistan is a matter for Government, not Army, but a nation doesn't buy an offensive weapons capability without at least planning for the day when it may need to be used in anger. Aside from the ongoing albeit ponderous introduction of Tiger to service, Army Aviation officers have kept a close eye on the French experience.
Now at least two years behind schedule, the first Tigers were delivered to 161 Reconnaissance Squadron at Robertson Barracks near Darwin two years ago. As the first operational unit, it is likely that 161 Squadron will be ready to deploy first.
The Initial Operational Test and Evaluation Readiness milestone is a seminal point in the transition from initial to operational training. From October last year, the focus has shifted from single aircraft training, maintenance and support qualifications to what Army describes as 'collective training and development of Army warfighting skills'.