Airbus wins a French stimulus order for more military helicopters

16th April 2021

By: Rebecca Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

Font size: - +

The French Ministry of Defence has ordered eight more H225M helicopters and a second VSR700 uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) from Airbus Helicopters. The order is part of the French government’s national aeronautical industry stimulus plan, announced last year, to help the sector weather the adverse economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The H225M is the latest iteration of Airbus Helicopter’s Super Puma family. It is an 11 t medium-sized multimission helicopter with a range of 700 nautical miles. In addition to tactical transport (with up to 29 troops onboard), search-and-rescue (SAR), casualty evacuation, and humanitarian support missions, the type can also be armed and fitted with a probe for air-to-air refuelling and used for combat search-and-rescue (CSAR – very different to standard SAR) and special forces missions. Naval versions of the H225M can be fitted with anti-ship missiles.

“We are very thankful to the French government for their support of the aeronautical industry through the stimulus plan,” assured Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even. “This is a win-win situation as the aircraft fulfil a real operational need for the French armed forces and this order allows Airbus Helicopters to secure jobs and key skills in the medium term. The French armed forces are facing increasing and varied challenges and I am confident that the H225M, thanks to its excellent range and multirole capacity, will be an efficient and reliable asset that will enhance their operations at home and abroad.”

The new helicopters will be supplied to the French Air and Space Force, with deliveries starting in 2024. In French service, the H225M is called the Caracal and the Air and Space Force already operates 11 of the type, which is also in service with the French Army. Both Air and Space Force and Army Caracals are used for CSAR and special forces missions.  

The VSR700 is a rotary-wing UAV and the order is for a second prototype for the French Navy. It is derived from the Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopter and has a maximum takeoff weight in the 500 kg to 1 000 kg range. It can carry multiple naval sensors. 

“The VSR700 is also a crucial programme,” he affirmed. “It will provide the French Navy with a highly capable autonomous platform and it will pave the way for future unmanned systems within the Airbus Helicopters portfolio.”

The Covid-19 pandemic caused the global helicopter market to contract by 50% last year. The new contract will benefit many more companies than just Airbus; other major beneficiaries will be the Safran group (Safran Helicopter Engines, Safran Power Units, Safran Electronics & Defence) and the Thales group. In all, more than 300 companies will be helped by the deal.  

 

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

The functionality you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION