The Netherlands Is Replacing Its AS532 Cougars With The Airbus H225M Helicopter
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has ordered 12 H252M Caracal long-range tactical transport military helicopters from Airbus to replace aging AS532 Cougars. The deal also includes support and services.
Signed at the Euronaval trade show in Paris by Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, President of the Dutch Command Material and IT (COMMIT) agency, and Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, the contract formalises the RNLAF’s selection in June 2023, but two fewer than originally planned due to budget constraints.
“We are very proud to see the Royal Netherlands Air Force and COMMIT renewing their trust in Airbus Helicopters. 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,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “The proven H225M is unmatched in terms of performance, versatility and range. It can carry extensive mission equipment that can be tailored to each customer’s needs and will be serving its customer’s requirements for the decades to come,” he added.
The H225M Caracal is the latest model in the Super Puma family and is a multi-purpose military asset optimized for missions such as Special Operations, Combat Search and Rescue, Tactical Transport, and Casualty/Medical Evacuation. As stated by the manufacturer, the H225M includes ‘new avionics, improved main gearbox, airborne communication systems’ and can, if desired, be equipped with the HForce weapon system which enables the aircraft to mount and employ a range of weapons including heavy machine guns, medium calibre cannons, rockets and missiles. In addition, the maximum take-off weight has been increased by 160kg to 11,160kg.
It is believed that all 12 aircraft will be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force between 2030 and 2032. The H225Ms will be used by the 300 Special Operations Squadron, which was established in October and is based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base in South Holland. As a result, the country’s military capabilities for challenging maritime and land operational conditions will be further strengthened.