French Army Enhances Tactical Mobility and Combat Readiness with NH90 Caïman Deployment in Djibouti.

According to information published by the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) via its official social media accounts on June 3, 2025, a major change has taken place in the Djiboutian skies with the official retirement of the SA330 Puma helicopters from the ALAT detachment of the French forces in Djibouti (5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment/DETALAT). After more than thirty years of service, these helicopters are being replaced by a new generation of tactical aircraft, the NH90 Caïman TTH.
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 The aircraft is protected by an electronic countermeasures system developed by MBDA, designed to defeat infrared and radar-guided threats (Picture source: ALAT)

Two units are already operational, delivered from mainland France aboard Antonov AN-124 cargo aircraft, and two additional helicopters are scheduled to arrive in August 2025. These helicopters originate from the 1st and 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiments (RHC) based in Phalsbourg and Étain, bringing the total number of NH90s deployed in Djibouti to four.

This transition is taking place in the context of a revised strategic framework, as the French Parliament is currently reviewing the defense cooperation treaty (TCMD) signed with Djibouti in July 2024. Valid for twenty years, the agreement updates the bilateral framework while maintaining a non-automatic security clause and clarifying France’s defense responsibilities. It includes joint surveillance of Djibouti’s airspace, coordination of military air traffic, and the establishment of a permanent alert mechanism to respond to potential threats. The updated legal framework also reinforces Djibouti’s role as a staging area for French forces operating toward the Indo-Pacific region and maritime zones such as the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The NH90 Caïman TTH is a European-designed multirole helicopter built to NATO standards. It provides enhanced tactical transport capabilities, with a modular cabin able to carry up to 20 troops or 2,500 kg of cargo, including small armored vehicles. It has a maximum range of 982 km and cruises at 300 km/h. Its equipment includes a digital cockpit, FLIR system, weather radar, and a helmet-mounted sight and display (HMSD), enabling day and night operations in degraded conditions. The aircraft is protected by an electronic countermeasures system developed by MBDA, designed to defeat infrared and radar-guided threats. It can be equipped with side-mounted machine guns or a 20 mm podded cannon, providing fire support and increased survivability.

This technological transition comes at a time of heightened regional strategic competition. Djibouti currently hosts military forces from the United States, China, and Japan. To maintain a credible presence, France has decided to increase its annual financial contribution from 30 to 85 million euros. The French Forces in Djibouti (FFDj) are undergoing a broader modernization process, including the planned replacement of AMX-10RC and VAB vehicles with Jaguar and Griffon armored vehicles, the upcoming transition from Mirage 2000-5 to Rafale fighter aircraft, and the enhancement of air capabilities with the future deployment of two Caracal EC725 AP helicopters. These will replace the three Puma helicopters currently operated by the 88th Overseas Transport Squadron "Larzac" based at Air Base 188 "Colonel Massart."

The replacement of Puma helicopters with NH90 Caïman aircraft in Djibouti is not solely a technical upgrade but part of a broader restructuring of France’s military posture in East Africa. Combined with the renewed TCMD treaty, this modernization reflects France’s intent to maintain operational readiness and strategic projection capabilities in a region increasingly marked by international military competition.