Airbus Helicopters’ Caracal (H225M) achieves new export success. Morocco purchased 10 helicopters to replace its older Puma, which has been in service for more than 40 years.
Finally finished. After very long discussions, Airbus Helicopters successfully signed a contract for the sale of ten Caracals (H225M) to Morocco. Slightly less than a squadron (twelve aircraft). This helicopter, which will be equipped for combat search and rescue missions, will replace the old Puma from Airbus Helicopters which has served for more than 40 years in the Royal Moroccan Air Force. In October 2024, Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Morocco raises the possibility of a quick sale of 18 Caracals, but this prospect is not yet mature enough to materialize.
The contract signed by the Marignane manufacturer also includes a range of support and maintenance services with connected services. The Moroccan H225M will be primarily equipped with the Euroflir 410, an airborne electro-optical system designed by Safran to carry out all-weather intelligence, protection and search and rescue missions. The device will also be capable of carrying machine guns and electronic warfare systems for self-protection.
Caracal, advanced helicopter
“The H225M is enjoying great success in the market. It is a reference device for complex missions in difficult environments. This order confirms the H225M’s reputation as the helicopter of choice for combat search and rescue missions and special operations worldwide.”explained the CEO of Airbus Helicopters, Bruno Even, quoted in a press release published this Tuesday. These devices were selected specifically by highly demanding countries such as the Netherlands in November 2024 (12 Caracals) and Singapore in 2016 (16 devices).
Besides the Netherlands and Singapore, military customers include France, which purchased eight aircraft in 2021, Hungary (16 aircraft in 2018), Brazil (50 aircraft in 2008), Mexico, Thailand, which signed a new contract for two aircraft in September, Malaysia (12 aircraft in 2011), Indonesia (14 aircraft), Iraq (12 in September 2024) and Kuwait (30 in 2016). More than 360 H225s and H225Ms are in service worldwide, totaling nearly 980,000 flight hours.
A new step between Airbus Helicopters and Morocco
“This is a new stage in the partnership we have built over decades with the Kingdom of Morocco”Bruno Even estimates. In 2024, Airbus Helicopters announced the establishment of a customer center in Morocco, which will provide support for 60 Airbus Helicopters helicopters in service with the Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie. It will develop into a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service center with new dedicated facilities. It will be the regional hub for Airbus helicopters in West Africa.
Airbus has been present in Morocco since 1951 through Airbus Atlantic, a 100% Airbus subsidiary specializing in the manufacture of composites, assembly of complex metal sub-assemblies, and maintenance and support of avionics equipment.
