At a time when maintenance procedures are undergoing major reforms, those for the Tigre combat helicopter are demonstrating the gains that can be achieved through the rationalisation, interoperability and cost control of equipment support, and especially that produced by several nations.  This exercise casts new light on the concept of support as a prime element in the life cycle of an item of equipment that has all too often been neglected. It also offers a new opportunity to reaffirm OCCAR as a positive contributor to a new European dynamic, combining joint and a multinational approaches, which offers benefits both overall and for the client.