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Airbus Helicopters BK117, EC145, and H145 series

Charlotte Bailey

Belgium has taken delivery of the first of 20 multirole H145M helicopters, destined to serve with the nation’s armed forces and federal police. The aircraft forms part of a wider procurement contract signed in 2024—via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)—since supplemented by additional firm orders for three more.
In May 2024, the Belgian Council of Ministers formally approved the purchase of up to 20 units of the light twin helicopter for use by Belgium’s ministry of defense. “Through this purchase, Belgian Defence will obtain an efficient tactical airlift capability for special operations and a medical evacuation capability by air,” explained the NSPA, which added that the helicopters would also be deployed in other roles, including humanitarian missions.
The original deal included additional firm orders for two more H145Ms, plus options for three, for the Police Federale. “Leveraging the same platforms will enable commonality and interoperability in terms of technical support, training, and execution of missions,” suggested the NSPA. At the time, it stated that the first aircraft were due to be delivered in 2026.
In December 2025, a follow-on deal worth €70 million (about $80 million) for five extra airframes was signed, designating two for the federal police and three for the military. Airbus said this “highlights the growing momentum of the program,” supporting the OEM’s belief that the aircraft “has become the definitive European reference for military multi-mission capabilities.”
Deliveries of the Air Force’s H145Ms are set to continue at a rate of one or two per month until mid-2027, when they will replace the remaining aging Agusta A109s.
Other European operators of the militarized variant include Hungary, Luxembourg, and Serbia, while Germany has ordered up to 82 H145Ms. This deal also included a follow-up contract, exercising an option for 20 additional units in December 2025 alongside the original 62 ordered in December 2023. The German Army will receive 72 units, with the remainder going to the Luftwaffe’s special forces.

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In this article

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