Iraq orders 12 Airbus helicopters

Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract for 12 H225M multi-role helicopters by the Republic of Iraq. The contract was signed in Baghdad by the Minister of Defence of Iraq Thabet al-Abbassi in the presence of the French Ambassador Patrick Durel.

These helicopters will be operated by the Iraqi Army Aviation command replacing older Mi-17s for a wider range of missions: counterterrorism, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack, ground fire support, MEDEVAC, and combat search and rescue.

Deliveries will start in 2025. Iraq already operates a fleet of Airbus helicopters from the H125, H135 and H145 families.

“We are very pleased to welcome a new member in the H225M family,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

“The H225M is a combat-proven platform used around the world by many operators, including the French Air Force, for combat search and rescue missions,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H225M is unmatched in terms of range, payload and also mission systems.”

The H225M is now equipped with new avionics, an enhanced main gearbox, airborne communication systems and can be equipped with the HForce weapon system. The maximum takeoff weight has been increased by 160 kilograms to reach 11,160 kg. 

There are more than 350 H225s and H225Ms in service across the world, totaling more than 880,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary.