Iraq orders Airbus H225M helicopters
Deliveries will be expected to begin in 2025. (Photo: Airbus)
The new helicopters will join Airbus H125, H135 and H145 aircraft already in Iraqi service and replace older Mi-17s.
Iraq has placed an order with Airbus for 12 H225M multi-role helicopters to replace Mi-17s in counter-terrorism, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack, ground fire support, medical evacuation, and combat search and rescue (SAR) missions.
The helicopters will be operated by Iraqi Army Aviation command and join H125, H135 and H145 helicopters which are already in service in Iraq.
There are more than 350 H225s and H225Ms in service across the world, totalling more than 880,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Kuwait, Brazil and Hungary. Shephard Defence Insight noted that 244 H225M have been ordered and 172 delivered.
The value of the Iraq contact has not been revealed but it has been estimated the aircraft has a unit cost of US$35 million.
The H225M incorporates safety features such as redundant dual-channel FADEC, embedded flight envelope limitation in the autopilot and blade-shedding technology.
The type can be equipped with a complete de-icing system compliant with FAR/JAR 29 regulations to fly in severe icing conditions, enabling it to be used as a combat SAR/personnel recovery platform and an all-weather SAR helicopter.
Recent notable events have included Singapore declaring its H225M fully operational earlier this year. In mid-2023, Hungary received its first two of the type which are part of an order for 16 of the aircraft.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems]()
Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
-
![Europe will “struggle” to fill capability gaps left by US-Ukraine aid pause]()
Europe will “struggle” to fill capability gaps left by US-Ukraine aid pause
Europe’s capacity to fill the capability gaps created by the US pause on military aid to Ukraine is uncertain, according to analysts, but European defence industry leaders have stressed their readiness to meet demand.
-
![Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?]()
Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?
The US Air Force has been showing an increasing interest in adding trusted uncrewed capabilities to its aircraft inventory.
-
![Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35]()
Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35
The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is being developed to meet US requirements and in 2020 the sale was approved to Australia of up to 200 LRASM for an estimated cost of US$990 million.
-
![Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft]()
Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft
The test is a first for the kit, developed via a partnership between Aselsan and Tübitak SAGE, to hit a high-speed moving target.
