Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of as many as 82 H145Ms ordered by the German Armed Forces in December 2023 for a variety of military missions.
On November 18, 2024, Airbus helicopters confirmed that the first H145M delivered will be used for operational training purposes and deployed to the German Army base in Bückeburg
The German army will receive 57 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe special forces will receive five.
The 82 multi-role H145M helicopters, consisting of 62 firm orders plus 20 options, will be used for a variety of missions including training, reconnaissance, special forces operations and light attack.
“We remain a reliable partner of the German Bundeswehr. The delivery of the first H145M LKH in less than a year after signing the contract is a testament to our commitment. The H145M LKH will be a true multi-mission asset for the German Armed Forces, supporting their critical missions,” said Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.
The December 2023 order represents the largest ever for H145Ms and in turn the largest for the HForce weapons management system.
The first delivery of an H145M in the light attack role is scheduled for 2025, while pilot training started in August 2024.
The contract also includes seven years of support and services, which Airbus says will guarantee “optimal access to service and support.”
The H145M is a versatile aircraft that can be converted from a light attack role to a special operations version with fast rappelling equipment in minutes
The standard version of the H145Ms ordered is equipped with fixed facilities, including: HForcethe weapons management system developed by Airbus Helicopters.
This allows the German military to train its pilots on the same type of helicopter used for operations and combat.
The H145M is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines and is equipped with full digital engine control (FADEC).
