The Netherlands has signed a production order for 12 Airbus Helicopters H225M rotorcraft: two fewer than it had originally planned to acquire for its special forces-support requirement.
Signed at the Euronaval show in Paris on 5 November and formalising a selection made in June 2023, the contract will see the Caracals delivered between 2030 and 2032. The award also covers an initial period of operational support, and other related services, Airbus Helicopters says.
To replace a current fleet of 12 H215M Cougars, the new aircraft will be used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF’s) 300 Special Operations Squadron, and stationed at Gilze-Rijen air base.
At the time of the H225M’s selection for the Dutch Medium Utility Helicopter requirement, the future fleet size was expected to total 14 aircraft.
“However, during the procurement phase it became apparent that the budget did not allow this,” the nation’s defence ministry says. “This was partly because the required mission equipment turned out to be more expensive than expected.”
“Airbus Helicopters and the RNLAF will work closely together on the development of the H225M adapted to the requirements of the users, enhancing capabilities and efficiency for special operations mission success,” the airframer says.
The contract was signed by Vice-Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, head of the Netherlands’ Command Materiel and IT organisation, and Airbus Helicopters chief executive Bruno Even, who describes the H225M as “unmatched in terms of performance, versatility and range”.
