Belgium has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters for 17 multi-role H145M in an agreement signed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
Airbus announced on June 17, 2024, that Belgium’s armed forces will receive 15 H145M helicopters while the Federal Police have been assigned two new aircraft, with an option for three more.
“We are proud that Belgium is joining the growing community of H145M users,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “In Europe, the robust multi-role helicopter is becoming the reference for tactical airlift capability, special operations, and medical evacuation missions. We are sure that the H145M will quickly become a key asset to the Belgian defense and security portfolio.”
According to Airbus the H145M can be “reconfigured from a light attack role, with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system, to a special operations version, including fast rappelling equipment”.
Additionally, the H145M includes options for future mission capabilities, including data links, further communication systems, and digitalization of mission-capabilities.
The US Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family under the name of UH-72 Lakota while current operators of the H145M includes Hungary, Serbia, Thailand and Luxembourg.
Cyprus has ordered six aircraft as well as Brunei and the United Kingdom (UK).
On June 6, 2024, Airbus and German Ministry of the Interior announced an order for 44 H225 helicopters for the country’s Federal Police.
The record order for the H225 includes 38 firm orders with options for a further six helicopters.