On December 14, 2023, the German Army and Airbus Helicopters finalized a contract for the acquisition of up to 82 H145M helicopters. This agreement includes 62 firm orders and an option for 20 additional helicopters, making it the biggest contract for the H145M model and the HForce weapon management system. The contract also encompasses a seven-year support and service package, aimed at facilitating the integration of these helicopters into service.
Under this contract, the German Army is set to receive 57 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe’s special forces will acquire 5. Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, stated that the German Air Force has operational experience with its H145M LUH Special Operations Forces fleet. He also mentioned the planned delivery schedule, with initial deliveries expected in 2024.
The H145M helicopter is designed to serve various military roles and can be quickly reconfigured for different missions. It can switch from a light attack role, equipped with weapons and self-protection systems, to a special operations configuration with rappelling equipment. The helicopter includes capabilities for hoisting and external cargo.