French Air Force bolsters its fleet of H225Ms

Marignane, The French Defence Procurement Agency DGA has signed an order to purchase an additional H225M which will be operated by the French Air Force. The aircraft will be delivered in a configuration that allows it to be interoperable with the existing fleet of 10 H225Ms in the French Air Force and in particular it will be capable of inflight refuelling, an essential operational advantage that this helicopter offers.
The aircraft will be based in Cazaux and will be used for Special Forces and Search and Rescue missions.

“We are very proud that the French Air Force is renewing its trust in the reliable multirole H225M, having been the first to deploy the type in an operational theatre in 2006” said Alexandra Cros, Vice President and Head of Governmental Affairs France at Airbus Helicopters. “The H225M is a real military asset thanks to its versatility and its excellent range. Operational from ships and land with an all-weather capability and takeoff in less than five minutes, it’s always ready for assignment” she added.

The H225M, with more than 180 aircraft ordered, 97 helicopters delivered, and 110,000 flight hours accumulated to date, is a recognized combat-proven, versatile and reliable workhorse for military missions worldwide. The 11-tonne member of the Super Puma family is relied upon as a force multiplier by France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Indonesia has recently placed a follow-on order for an additional eight aircraft. Other recent customers for the H225M include Kuwait, Singapore, and Hungary who signed a contract for 16 H225Ms in December last year.

The Royal Thai Air Force receives two new H225Ms

Thailand, The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has taken delivery of its seventh and eighth H225M (previously known as EC725) multirole utility helicopters.

Since 2012, the RTAF has placed orders for a total of 12 H225Ms under its fleet modernisation programme. Belonging to a contract signed in 2016, these new additions will join the air force’s existing fleet of six H225Ms for combat search and rescue, search and rescue flights and troop transport missions.

The 11-ton-catergory twin-turbine H225M is relied  upon as a force multiplier by many air forces worldwide thanks to its outstanding endurance and fast cruise speed. Featuring state-of-the-art electronic instruments and the renowned 4-axis autopilot system, the multirole helicopter may be fitted with various equipment to suit any role. Close to 90 units are currently in service in six countries across the globe, surpassing the 100,000 flight hour milestone.

Royal Thai Air Force expands fleet with additional H225M order

New purchase brings RTAF’s H225M fleet to 12 units

Thailand, – Airbus Helicopters has secured an additional order of four H225M (previously known as EC725) multirole utility helicopters from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), as part of the fleet strengthening programme. This follow-on order will bring the RTAF’s H225M fleet to 12 units by 2021.

Specially equipped with emergency flotation gear, fast roping, cargo sling, search light and electro-optical systems, these four new multirole H225M helicopters will join RTAF’s existing fleet of six H225Ms for combat search and rescue missions, search and rescue flights and troop transport operations. The air force will also be receiving two H225Ms from its earlier order, by end of this year.

This latest contract will also cover on-site technical support and continuing airworthiness management organisation services, fully supported by Airbus’ Thailand team.

“The H225Ms have served the Royal Thai Air Force well since the delivery of its first batch in 2015, and we are truly honoured by this renewed order, underscoring their continued trust and confidence in our helicopters and the committed support to their fleet. With its proven versatility, reliability and endurance, we know that the H225 will continue to capably fulfil the most challenging missions. RTAF can count on our Thailand-based customer centre for continued availability of the fleet,” said Philippe Monteux, Head of Southeast Asia and Pacific region.

Featuring state-of-the-art electronic instruments and the renowned 4-axis autopilot system, the 11-ton-catergory twin-turbine H225M offers outstanding endurance and fast cruise speed, and may be fitted with various equipment to suit any role. Close to 90 units are in service, achieving 100,700 flight hours to-date.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s H225M recognised as the highest H225M flyer in 2017

Kuala Lumpur, 17 April 2018 – Airbus Helicopters held an awards ceremony at the Defence Services Asia exhibition and conference (DSA), to celebrate the milestone achievement of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s H225M (M55-02, S/N 2840), which logged the most number of flight hours worldwide in 2017.

Attending the event were Chief of Air Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Affendi bin Buang and Deputy Chief of Air Force Lieutenant General Dato’ Sri Ackbal bin Haji Abdul Samad from the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Airbus Head of Country Malaysia Raymond Lim
presented the Chief of Air Force with a plaque to commemorate the milestone.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s fleet of 12 H225M (previously known as EC725) helicopters have been in service since 2012. A proven workhorse, the H225M helicopters have participated in various exercises and operational employment, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief missions, including the recent flood evacuations, mercy missions and the rescue mission at the Mount Kinabalu. Together, the RMAF H225M fleet has achieved 13,000 flight hours.