Between 1993 and 1998, the french Marine / Navy took delivery of 15 improved AS-565SA Panther helicopters and assigned them to flotille 36F. In 2009, a 16th helicopter (c/n 6403 serialled 403) previously used for the testflight unit (CEV - Centre d'Essais en Vol) joined the fleet. "505" - pictured here during relief efforts after cyclone "Gafilo" hit Madagascar's east coast in March 2004 - was built in 1997 and became the prototype for version Standard 2. Not sure what that means as the remaining 15 seem to be Standard 1, according to http://www.ffaa.net/helicopters/panther/fleet.htm.

Assigned to the frigate Jean Bart, this Panther is seen on the flight deck of the destroyer USS Ross. Photo from: US Navy