• Defence Helicopter

  RNLN takes delivery of NH90 NFH MPAS

  29th November 2013

  The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) has taken delivery of a Mission Planning & Analysis System (MPAS) in the Final Operative Configuration for its fleet of …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army achieves IOC with AH-64E Apache Guardian

  28th November 2013

  The US Army’s AH-64E Apache ‘Guardian’ attack helicopters have achieved initial operating capability (IOC), the service announced on 27 November. In a statement, the army …

• Defence Helicopter

  Ardiden 3C/WZ16 engine has successful first run

  28th November 2013

  The Turbomeca- and AVIC Engine-developed Ardiden 3C helicopter engine has completed its first run at the Turbomeca Bordes plant in France. According to the companies …

• Defence Helicopter

  USAF set to award combat rescue helicopter contract

  27th November 2013

  Pending budget approval, the US Air Force (USAF) is set to award Sikorsky a contract for its Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) programme, it has been …

• Defence Notes

  Scottish defence force plans unveiled

  26th November 2013

  The Scottish government has published its independence ‘White Paper’, describing a 10-year introduction plan for a proposed defence force. Unveiled on 25 November by Scottish first …

• Defence Helicopter

  RAF commences training operations with Puma Mk2

  26th November 2013

  The Royal Air Force has begun training on the newly upgraded Puma Mk2 helicopters from RAF Benson in Oxford. Seven of the 24 aircraft being …

• Digital Battlespace

  ViaSat STT selected for RAN DA20 Falcon aircraft

  22nd November 2013

  ViaSat will supply its Small Tactical Terminal (STT) KOR-24 for installation on the DA20 Falcon series of aircraft used by the Royal Navy under a …

• Defence Helicopter

  AgustaWestland bets on dual-use helicopters

  21st November 2013

  AgustaWestland hopes its dual-use family of helicopters concept will allow it to successfully capitalise on a growing commercial sector and offset a shrinking military market, …

• Defence Helicopter

  Dubai 2013: Australia set to receive first MH-60R

  20th November 2013

  The first two Australian MH-60R helicopters will be formally delivered on 10 December as the AUS$3 billion project to replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) …

• Defence Helicopter

  Dubai 2013: Swiss Kopter unveils Skyrider trainer

  19th November 2013

  Dubai saw the air show debut of a new two-seater light helicopter, which the manufacturer is aiming squarely at the training market as a competitor …

• Defence Helicopter

  Dubai 2013: Talon production moves to UAE

  19th November 2013

  Raytheon will move the Talon laser guided rocket into production in the UAE under a partnering agreement with Tawazun announced at the Dubai Air Show. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Dubai 2013: Middle East offers opportunities for growth

  18th November 2013

  Strong purchasing power in the Middle East is driving companies to increase their footprint in the region as they  look to boost international sales in …

• Defence Helicopter

  Dubai 2013: Boeing finally receives AH-6i contract

  18th November 2013

  Boeing has secured a production contract for 24 AH-6i light attack helicopters understood to be for Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the Dubai Air Show, Boeing’s …

• Defence Helicopter

  Dubai 2013: MD plans second-generation 530F

  18th November 2013

  MD Helicopters is moving ahead with a major redesign of its MD530F armed helicopter as it targets further parapublic opportunities around the world. Speaking to …

• Defence Notes

  EADS reports higher revenues

  15th November 2013

  EADS has announced higher revenues and profits for the first nine months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.  ‘Revenue has increased by …

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 ...