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 Helicopters’ 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 antiship 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.
In other good news for the Airbus group, Airbus Defence & Space recently announced that it had signed a five-year services contract with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF), to support the latter’s force of C295 twin-turboprop transport aircraft. The EAF operates the largest fleet of C295s in the world, with 24 aircraft.
The deal means that Airbus will provide integrated and performance-based support to the EAF C295s. The EAF is the latest customer to sign such a contract with Airbus. It includes the supply of material services, on-site technical support and on-wing maintenance.
“This agreement is a significant step forward in the integrated service support that we offer our customers in the region,” reported Airbus Defence and Space Military Aircraft Services head Stephan Miegel. “Our goal and commitment to our customers is to maximise their fleet availability, ensure their mission readiness, all while saving maintenance costs.”
The EAF received its first C295 from Airbus in 2011. That initial order was for three aircraft, and was followed by a second order, for another three, in 2012. Six more were ordered in early 2013 and another eight in 2014. It is not clear when the final four examples were ordered. Nor is it known what unit or units operate them.
Airbus has been providing a wide portfolio of support services to the EAF’s C295s since the delivery of the first trio.