• Special Operations

  SOCOM looks to Little Bird upgrade

  15th March 2019

  United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is exploring a potential upgrade to the plank systems used to tactically configure its A/MH-6M “Little Bird” Special Operations …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2019: Leonardo target 2021 AW609 military certification

  5th March 2019

  The soon to be civil certified AW609 tiltrotor is also expected to receive a military type certification in approximately 2021 – subject to customer demand. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky to tie up new CH-53K LRIP lots

  19th March 2019

  The US DoD and Sikorsky are currently engaged in negotiations for a second/third low rate initial production contract for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift aircraft, with an …

• Defence Helicopter

  Aero India 2019: HAL silent on NUH developments

  27th February 2019

  Although the Indian MoD launching an expression of interest for a JV on the purchase of 111 Naval Utility Helicopters only two weeks ago, Hindustan …

• Training

  Aero India 2019: HATSOFF plans move for new sim trainer

  24th February 2019

  Bangalore-based HATSOFF Helicopter Training, an HAL-CAE JV, is looking to expand its current offerings of full flight simulators (FFS). Currently, the company provides civil and …

• Defence Helicopter

  Japanese OH-1 returns to duty

  12th March 2019

  The OH-1, a light observation helicopter type belonging to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), has been cleared to begin flying again after a fleet-wide …

• Defence Notes

  Podcast: Aero India, armed helicopters and all the news

  1st March 2019

  Welcome to Episode 6 of The Weekly Defence Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more.

• Military Logistics

  MMF 2 performs maiden flight

  14th February 2019

  An Airbus A330-200 destined to become OCCAR's second Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF)aircraft performed its first flight from Toulouse Airport on 5 February. During …

• Defence Helicopter

  Portuguese Air Force receives first two AW119Kx

  25th February 2019

  Leonardo delivered the first two AW119Kx multirole single engine helicopters to the Portuguese Air Force in a ceremony held at Beja Air Base on 18 …

• Military Logistics

  Elbit Systems’ TF/TA declared operational onboard C-130

  5th March 2019

  Elbit Systems’ new Terrain Following and Terrain Avoidance (TF/TA) system has been declared operational onboard the C-130 aircraft of an unidentified air force, the company …

• Defence Helicopter

  Avalon 2019: Rafael wants to Spike Australian helicopters and add SPICE

  1st March 2019

  Last August the Australian Army selected the Spike LR2 multipurpose missile for the Boxer 8x8 armoured vehicle under Land 400 Phase 2, and it has …

• Defence Helicopter

  Australia special ops stand up NRH90

  11th February 2019

  Special ops have been initiated with the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) MRH90 as of 1 February 2019, the first two aircraft delivered replaced two Sikorsky …

• Training

  IAF to receive new training helicopters

  20th February 2019

  Israel’s MoD has signed an agreement with its Italian counterpart to procure seven AW119Kx training helicopters, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) announced on 17 February. …

• Defence Helicopter

  IDEX 2019: UAE's 407 MRH sees continued success (video)

  22nd February 2019

  Thirty 407MRH light attack helicopters are currently in operation with the UAE. Lyle Becka, VP of operations at NorthStar Aviation runs through the capabilities and …

• Defence Helicopter

  Aero India 2019: Russian Helicopters cements footprint in India

  21st February 2019

  At a packed conference, and when other companies might be waiting to see how the political tide turns in an Indian election year, Russian Helicopters …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-72 Follow-On [USA]

  Programme Background In March 2019, Airbus stated that it expected orders from the US Army for between 12 and 15 UH-72A helicopters. In March 2020, ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  H225M - France

  Programme Background In April 2021, the French government signed a deal for the purchase of eight H225M Airbus helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of SA330 ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H145M [Ireland]

  Programme Background On 30 December 2024 Ireland announced a contract with Airbus for four new H145M helicopters to replace the Air Corps existing fleet of ...

• Military helicopters - attack, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  H225M / H145M Add-On [Romania]

  Methodology As part of a potential initial order for 12 H225M helicopters, Romania has included the option to acquire 30 additional helicopters from Airbus. Shephard estimates this ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H145 Helicopter [Honduras]

  Programme Background  The Honduran Government has purchased a total of four H145 Helicopters manufactured by Airbus to develop the armed forces preparedness against natural disasters ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  Maritime Operations Helicopters

  The three maritime operations helicopters will be used for logistics and personnel transport, alongside transportation of PASKAL naval special forces in operations in the area. ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  SW4 Puszczyk Replacement [Poland]

  Programme Background  In 2002, Poland order 47 SW4 training helicopters from Italian manufacturer Leonardo; as of Spring 2025, the Ministry of Defence is looking to ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH-90 [Spain]

  Programme Background Along with a range of other air programmes, the Spanish Government announced the nation has set aside 1 billion euros (USD$1.162 billion) to ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Future Aircrew Training Program (Helicopter Procurement) - Canada

  Programme Background The FAcT requires to graduate 120 pilots, 40 combat systems officers and 36 airborne electronic sensor operators per year with 15% fluctuation. Training services ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Bell 412EPI-Indonesia

  Programme Background PTDI is assembling Bell helicopters in its factory in Bandung.  The first Bell 412EPI was delivered to Indonesian Army on 29 December 2020 ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Spain HT-29 Caiman (NH90 TTH) - Army First Batch

  HT-29 Caiman GSPAs (NH90 TTH) will be assembled at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Albacete and will replace AS332 Super Puma fleet in service. Even though ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  TH-73 Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) (TH-57 Replacement)

  Programme Background Contenders for the competition included the Leonardo single engine TH-119 – a military variant of the AW119Kx – and Bell’s newly upgraded single ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  AW101 [Poland]

  According to the media reports, Airbus couldn't provide a competitive offer for the programme due to the offset requirements.  The deliveries were to be completed ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-X [Japan]

  There is no mention of the AH-X in the 2019-2023 Medium Term Defence Plan, so it is possible that the requirement has quietly been postponed. ...

• Military helicopters - light/training, Military helicopters - multirole

  H135M [Spain]

  Programme Background Spain announced the National Helicopter Plan in May 2025 culminating in five contracts awarded to Airbus on 18 December 2025, including procurement programmes ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - light/training

  H145

  The light, twin-engine EC145 began as an initiative to increase the cabin size of the BK 117 C1 aircraft, involving Kawasaki of Japan and Airbus ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  H225M

  The medium-weight, 11t-class H225M (formerly known as the EC725) is the latest military Super Puma/Cougar family member.  Technical features include a modular design of mechanical ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H145M

  The H145M (formerly known as the EC645 T2) is the military version of the H145 medium-sized (3.7t) helicopter (covered in a separate entry). It is ...

• Military helicopters - light/training, Military helicopters - multirole

  H135M

  The H135M (formerly known as the EC635 and also designated as H135) is a light utility variant of the EC135 twin-engine, multipurpose 3t helicopter. In ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H215M

  The H215M (formerly the AS532 ALe) is the most recent addition to the Cougar family.  It is a medium-weight (9t-class), twin-engine helicopter, combining the AS532's ...

• Air: mission management systems

  Helionix

  The Helionix digital avionics suite was developed from the need for a more powerful avionics system with greater functions and computing capacity, alongside a user-friendly interface. ...

• Helicopter engines

  Arriel 2+/2D

  Unveiled in 2011, the Arriel 2+ is an upgrade of the Arriel 2 and is intended for single- and twin-engine helicopters. It incorporates a new ...

• Helicopter engines

  LTS101

  The LTS101 was first certified in 1975. Since then, over 2,100 engines have been delivered to customers worldwide, logging over 11 million service hours. The ...

• EO/IR systems

  Viviane

  Viviane is an out-of-production gyro-stabilised night and adverse weather observation system with missile sight.  Manufactured by Safran, it was fitted to French Army Gazelles. It contained a ...

• Air: mission management systems

  APM 2000

  The current generation of autopilots is the APM 2000 family, fitted on major worldwide platforms. The APM 2000 is based on an integrated digital computer. ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H175M

  The Airbus H175M is the military variant of the H175 and works to fill a gap in the H175 helicopter family, as well as offer ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  Light Armed Helicopter

  The South Korean government selected Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in July 2014 to develop the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) and the related Light Civil Helicopter ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AS365 N3+ Dauphin

  The AS365 N3+, manufactured by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter), was developed from the Dauphin series of medium, twin-turboshaft rotorcraft. The AS365 N3+ was launched at the 2009 ...

• Military UAS - small

  Flexrotor

  Flexrotor, or U030 Flexrotor, is a VTOL small UAS manufactured by Aerovel. It can integrate different types of payloads, including electro-optical systems and advanced sensors, to suit ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 TTH

  Developed as a multinational programme between France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, the European NH90 was designed to meet NATO requirements for multirole capability from ...