First Dutch H225M Caracal helicopter enters production at Airbus

Airbus Helicopters has started production of the first H225M for the Netherlands at its Marignane plant in France, the initial aircraft under a contract signed late last year. The company said the milestone was reached on 7 October.

The Dutch defence ministry described the start of construction as a next step in developing the country's special operations capability. Twelve H225Ms are being acquired under the deal, which the manufacturer has named the Caracal. According to the ministry, testing of the new helicopters is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the first delivery expected in early 2030. When the contract was awarded last November, Airbus Helicopters said deliveries would run from 2030 to 2032.

Once in service, the rotorcraft will be operated by the air force's 300 Squadron. The ministry said the helicopter must be able to operate in varied flight conditions and alongside NATO and other international partners, and can exchange information with other platforms including the Embraer C-390 and the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Michel Macia, who heads Airbus Helicopters' Super Puma programme, said the company holds a combined backlog of more than 100 H215s and H225Ms and aims to keep output at 20 to 25 aircraft a year. Speaking near the Marignane site on 7 October, he said the aircraft could be produced for another 40 years.

Also on 7 October, a Romanian contract for 12 H225Ms formally took effect. Macia said Bucharest needs to replace its entire fleet of ageing IAR-330 Pumas, adding that the order of twelve is only the start of that renewal. Romania, a NATO member, has said its potential total requirement could reach 42 Caracals.