The the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany — Bundeswehr and Airbus's Rotorcraft wing Airbus Helicopters have announced of signing a contract for the purchase of up to 82 multi-role H145M helicopters (62 firm orders plus 20 options).
The development can be seen as the largest order ever placed for the H145M and consequently the largest for the HForce weapon management system.
The scope of the contract highlights seven years of support and services to Bundeswehr, ensuring optimal entry into service. The German Army will receive fifty-seven helicopters, while the Luftwaffe’s special forces will receive five.
With this order , Germany has initiated a significant overhaul of its military helicopter fleet with the procurement of the light-attack versions of Airbus Helicopters' H145 twin-engine aircraft.
This acquisition is designed to temporarily replace the German Army's Tiger attack helicopters, which have encountered operational challenges.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said :
“We are proud that the Bundeswehr has decided to order up to 82 H145M helicopters”, “The H145M is a robust multi-role helicopter and the German Air Force has gained a significant amount of operational experience with its H145M LUH Special Operations Forces fleet. We will ensure that the Bundeswehr receives the helicopters in accordance with the very ambitious delivery schedule which includes first deliveries in 2024 less than a year after contract signature.”
The H145M is a multi-role military helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system into a special operations version including fast rappelling equipment.
The procurement decision, confirmed by the German Parliament's budget committee on December 13, led to the commissioning of Airbus to supply the helicopters by Germany's defense materiel agency—the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support.
The €100 billion ($109 billion) special fund allocated for military modernization in Germany will finance this procurement. Alongside the aircraft, the purchase includes spare parts, eight simulators, training for both flight and technical personnel, and operational services over a seven-year period.
Additionaly, the comprehensive mission packages include hoisting and external cargo capabilities. Additionally, the new German H145M includes options for future mission capabilities including the ability to operate with the integration of Manned-Unmanned Teaming and upgraded data links and communication systems.
The basic version of the ordered H145Ms will be equipped with fixed provisions, including the weapon management system, HForce, developed by Airbus Helicopters. This allows the Bundeswehr to train its pilots on the same type of helicopter that is used for operation and combat , apart from avoiding Costly type transfers.
The H145M is the military version of the tried-and-tested, light twin-engine H145 helicopter. The global fleet of the H145 family has now accumulated more than seven million flight hours. It is used by armed and law enforcement forces around the world for the most demanding missions.
The Bundeswehr already operates 16 H145M LUH SOF and 8 H145 LUH SAR helicopters. The US Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family under the name of UH-72 Lakota. Current operators of the H145M are Hungary, Serbia, Thailand and Luxembourg; Cyprus has ordered six aircraft.
Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). In addition, the helicopter is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite which, alongside innovative flight data management, includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, which considerably reduces pilot workload during missions.
Nevertheless, some sections of media have reported that the procurement of the H145M was apparently deliberately pushed forward by the leadership of the Ministry of Defense against internal criticism and financial concerns. The Federal Audit Office does not see any “fundamental objections”. against the Bundeswehr purchasing H145M helicopters, but criticizes both the technical implementation and financial structure of the now planned arms deal.
Even in the Bundeswehr's special funds, the budget for the fixed portion of the purchase of the H145M would be far from sufficient : 714 million euros would then have to come from the conventional defense budget.
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