Airbus H225M helicopter | Photo: Airbus Helicopters/Anthony Pecchi
The Kingdom of Morocco has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of ten H225M helicopters. The aircraft will be operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force for combat search and rescue missions and will replace Puma helicopters that have been in service for more than four decades.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said, “We are honoured that Morocco has chosen to replace its legacy Puma fleet with the H225M. This is another step in the partnership we have been building over the decades with the Kingdom of Morocco. The H225M is enjoying a strong momentum on the market. This aircraft is a reference for complex missions in tough environments. This order solidifies the H225M’s reputation as the helicopter of choice for combat search and rescue and special operations across the world.”
According to Airbus, the helicopters will include a double hoist installation, a searchlight and a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system. They will also have the capability to carry machine guns and an electronic warfare system.
The agreement includes a support and service package with connected services. Airbus reports more than 360 H225 and H225M helicopters in service globally, accumulating nearly 980,000 flight hours. Customers include military operators in France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq and Kuwait.
Airbus has maintained a presence in Morocco since 1951 through Airbus Atlantic, which conducts composite manufacturing, assembly of metallic sub-assemblies and avionics support. In 2024, Airbus Helicopters announced the establishment of a customer centre in Morocco to support the Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie. The centre is planned to expand into a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility and serve as a regional hub for West Africa.
Airbus Helicopters also announced a new contract with France’s Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) to support the entire fleet of 46 H145 family helicopters of the French Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale (40 for the Sécurité Civile and six for the Gendarmerie Nationale) for up to ten years to be executed in a co-contracting partnership with Babcock.
Discover more from StratPost
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
