PARIS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- France unveiled an investment plan to boost its defense armament that included an order for a fifth nuclear-armed submarine Barracuda and modernization of the "Tiger Standard 3" helicopter program, the defense ministry said in a statement released on Monday.
Following a ministerial investment committee held earlier this month, Defense Minister Florence Parly decided to order the fifth nuclear-armed submarine which is expected to reinforce the naval cruise missile (MdCN) capabilities and enable the deployment of special forces in immersion.
The new order is part of the 2019-2025 Military Programming Bill under which the government plans to acquire six vessels to renew its naval forces, the statement said.
Parly also decided to launch development program of armed reconnaissance helicopter Tiger that aims at developing its collaborative combat capabilities and developing its offensive abilities.
"This decision is directly in line with the framework set by the Franco-German Defense and Security Council of July 13 2017, during which Germany and France agreed to set up a cooperation framework for Tiger helicopter Standard 3 as well as for a joint air-to-ground tactical missile program," the statement said.
Since its introduction to service in 2009, the Tiger has been used in military operations in zones of high risk such as Afghanistan, Libya, Central African Republic and Mali.
