Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of up to 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 training operational purposes and will be deployed at the German Army’s Bückeburg base
The German Army will receive 57 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe’s special forces will receive five.
The 82 multi-role H145M helicopters, comprised of 62 firm orders plus 20 options, will be used on a variety of missions including training, reconnaissance, special forces operations and light attack.
“We remain a reliable partner of the German Bundeswehr. Delivering the first H145M LKH in less than a year after the contract signature demonstrates our commitment. The H145M LKH will be a true multi-mission asset for the German Armed Forces, supporting their crucial missions,” said Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.
The order in December 2023 represents the largest ever for H145Ms and in turn the largest for the HForce weapon management system.
The first delivery of an H145M in the light attack role is scheduled for 2025 while pilot training commenced in August 2024.
The contract also includes seven years of support and services, which Airbus says will ensure “optimal entry into service and support”.
The H145M is a versatile aircraft that can be reconfigured from a light attack role into a special operations version with fast rappelling equipment within minutes
The standard version of the ordered H145Ms is equipped with fixed provisions, including HForce, the weapon management system developed by Airbus Helicopters.
This allows the German Army to train its pilots on the same type of helicopter that is used for operation and combat.
Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is fitted with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC).