French Army SA330 Retired

The 3e Regiment d'Helicopteres de Combat at Etain withdrew the last SA330 Puma serving with a conventional French Army regiment on 23 July 2026, marked by a "Depart du Puma de la 4e BAC" ceremony. The type had flown with the Aviation Legere de l'Armee de Terre since 1969, equipping the 1er, 3e and 5e RHC as well as the overseas detachments, and was progressively replaced by the NH90 Caiman. Only the nine Pumas of the Groupe d'Intervention Helicopteres, attached to the 4e Regiment d'Helicopteres des Forces Speciales at Villacoublay, remain in Army service, held for counter-terrorism support to the GIGN and the RAID.