Asia-Pacific to add 1,500 military helicopters over next decade — Airbus
SINGAPORE: Airbus sees growth potential of its military helicopter business in the AsiaPacific region and expects 1,500 new helicopters to be delivered in the region over the next decade by all rotorcraft manufacturers.
According to Airbus Helicopters vice-president/head of marketing and sales, Fabrice Rochereau, demand for military helicopters is anticipated to be on the upward trend as AsiaPacific military fleets are due for renewal and modernisation.
The focus, he said, would be on medium utility, specialised attack and heavy combat and naval lift capabilities.
“With a comprehensive suite of military platforms, including our star performers H225M and H145M, we are well placed to capture a strong share of the rising demand in the military segment,” said Rochereau in a statement issued in conjunction with the ongoing Singapore Airshow 2024, here.
According to Airbus, AsiaPacific is a key market for it where it has a quarter of the helicopter fleet share Wednesday.
There are currently 2,200 Airbus helicopters operating in the region for a wide range of civil, parapublic, and military missions, said the manufacturer.
The region deploys the full range of Airbus’ rotorcraft, including the multi-role H225M and the multi-mission H145M dedicated for strategic and tactical transport, military training, search-and-rescue, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The H145M is already supporting 10 defence forces globally, with over 500 aircraft delivered and some 60 helicopters on order, while the H225M is today contracted by 10 military forces worldwide, with over 160 delivered and 40 on order, it said.