Germany Adds 20 H145M Helicopters With New Order

Bundeswehr H145M Light Combat Helicopter | Photo: Airbus Helicopters

Germany has placed an order for 20 additional Airbus H145M light combat helicopters, exercising an option included in a contract signed in December 2023. The decision increases the total number of H145M helicopters ordered by Germany to 82, according to Airbus Helicopters.

“We are honoured and proud that Germany has decided to order 20 additional H145M LKH helicopters. This further commitment by one of our home countries is a powerful sign of trust in the H145M’s exceptional performance and multi-role capabilities,” said Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.

The H145M, designated Leichter Kampfhubschrauber (LKH), is intended for a range of missions including training, reconnaissance, special forces operations and light attack. Under the current plan, the German Army will receive 72 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe’s special forces will operate ten. The first H145M LKH was delivered in November 2024, less than a year after the original contract was signed, with further deliveries already completed.

The H145M is a multi-role military helicopter that can be reconfigured between mission profiles within a short time frame. Configurations include light attack roles with ballistic and guided weapons, as well as special operations variants equipped for fast rappelling, hoisting and external cargo transport.

The aircraft is the military version of the H145 light twin-engine helicopter. The H145 family has accumulated more than eight million flight hours globally and is operated by military and law enforcement users worldwide. The Bundeswehr already operates H145 helicopters for special forces and search-and-rescue missions. International operators include the United States, Hungary, Serbia, Luxembourg, Thailand, Ecuador, Honduras and Cyprus.

The H145M is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines with full authority digital engine control and is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite, including a four-axis autopilot.