Airbus Helicopters has delivered to the French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) defence procurement agency the first two of eight H225M Caracal helicopters ordered in 2021, Airbus announced on 17 January 2025.

The helicopters will be operated by the French Air and Space Force, replacing Pumas currently in service overseas (in French Guyana, Djibouti and New Caledonia) and will contribute to the harmonisation of the French Air and Space Force’s helicopter fleet. They will be used for operational missions, search-and-rescue duties and utility missions.

“The delivery of these two brand new H225Ms to the French Air and Space Force is very symbolic as France was the first operator of the H225M. They have proven on multiple occasions the benefit of this rotorcraft for combat, search and rescue, disaster management and medical evacuation missions,” Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “We are very proud that the French Air and Space Force has renewed their trust in the Caracal,” he added. “The French Air and Space Air Force will benefit from all the innovations that have been implemented on the H225M since the helicopter started operations in 2006 with the French armed forces, further expanding the capabilities of this unique aircraft.”

Like all newly built H225Ms, the eight new helicopters ordered by France in 2021 are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, the Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and the Sigma inertial navigation system. New equipment also includes the Thales TRA6034 VUHF radio and TSC4000 IFF (identification friend or foe) transponder.

There are more than 350 H225s and H225Ms now in service that have clocked up more than 880,000 flight hours, Airbus noted.

Airbus Helicopters has now delivered the first two of eight H225M Caracal helicopters ordered for the French Air and Space Force in 2021, Airbus announced on 17 January 2025. (Photo: Airbus)