Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract from the Netherlands for 12 H225M helicopters and related support services.
Vice Adm. Jan Willem Hartman, head of Command Materiel and IT, and Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even formalized the deal on the sidelines of the Euronaval trade show in Paris. According to Even, the H225M was chosen after a comprehensive evaluation in June 2023. The aircraft is designed to meet the requirements of special forces operations.
The Ministry of Defence initially planned to acquire 14 H225Ms but reduced this to 12 due to budgetary constraints. The multipurpose helicopters will replace the country’s fleet of AS532 Cougar transport aircraft, which has been in service for 27 years.
Airbus said the H225M features an improved main gearbox and upgraded avionics and airborne communication systems that help reduce crew workload. Equipped with four-axis, dual-duplex automatic flight control system for precision and stability, the heavy-lift helicopters are ideal for special operations, combat search and rescue, tactical transport and medical evacuation.
According to the Dutch defense ministry, the H225Ms will be hosted by the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s newly established 300 Special Operations Squadron at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. “Together with colleagues from the Korps Commandotroepen and the Maritime Special Operations Forces, the personnel will perform special reconnaissance, offensive support and military support,” the ministry said in a press statement.
Delivery of the aircraft is expected to start in 2030, with the final turnover slated for 2032. Meanwhile, the ministry’s 12 Cougars are under an improvement project to extend its operational life until the new aircraft are delivered.