Royal Thai Air Force orders additional H225Ms

Four Airbus Helicopters H225M (previously known as EC725) multirole utility helicopters have been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), as part of their fleet augmentation programme, which follow-on order brings the RTAF’s H225M fleet to 12 by 2021. Specially equipped with emergency flotation gear, fast roping, cargo sling, search light and electro-optical systems, these four new multirole H225M helicopters will join RTAF’s existing fleet

of six H225Ms for combat search and rescue missions, search and rescue flights and troop transport operations. The RTAF will also be receiving two H225Ms from its earlier order by end of this year.

The H225M, with 88 numbers currently in service in six countries across the globe, has surpassed the 100,000 flight hour milestone, following its first delivery to the French Air Force in 2006. The aircraft was deployed by the French Air Force (also known as the Caracal) in Lebanon in 2006. “The 11-metric-tonne H225M has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas such as Afghanistan, Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Central African Republic, and Mali, while also supporting NATO-led operations in Libya”.