Royal Netherlands Air Force orders 12 Airbus H225M helicopters

The Dutch Ministry of Defense has ordered 12 H225M Caracal medium utility helicopters from Airbus Helicopters. 

The deal was announced on November 5, 2024, during the Euronaval trade show in Paris. In addition to the dozen aircraft, it also includes an initial support and services package. 

“The H225M was selected by the Netherlands in June 2023 after a call for tender and an exhaustive evaluation, after which the Airbus helicopter was considered the best option for the very demanding special forces operations,” commented Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “The proven H225M is unmatched in terms of performance, versatility and range.”

Finding a replacement for the H215M Cougar

The new helicopters will replace the Dutch H215M Cougar transport helicopters, which have been in service with the Netherlands for 27 years. The latter are undergoing a modernization campaign to extend their operational life to 2030.

“The 12 H225M Caracal helicopters will be housed in the recently established 300 Special Operations Squadron,” the Dutch Ministry of Defense explained. “Together with colleagues from the Korps Commandotroepen and the Maritime Special Operations Forces, the personnel will perform special reconnaissance, offensive support and military support.”

The initial plan was to procure 14 helicopters, but budget constraints led the Netherlands to reduce the order by two aircraft due to the high cost of mission equipment.

The Caracal helicopters will be delivered between 2030 and 2032. Like the Cougar fleet, the H225M helicopters will be based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base.

The Airbus H225M Caracal is a medium-lift helicopter built for diverse military missions, including search and rescue, troop transport, and special operations. As the manufacturer states, the maximum takeoff weight has been increased by 160 kilograms (350 pounds), reaching a total of 11 tons (24,000 pounds).

It is the ultimate iteration of the Super Puma family, powered by two Safran Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turbines, each producing 2,380 horsepower.

The Caracal can accommodate up to 28 fully equipped soldiers. It boasts a top speed of 324 kilometers per hour and an operating range of 1,253 kilometers (677 nautical miles) with additional fuel tanks. It can also be refueled mid-flight to further extend its range.

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