Morocco has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for ten H225M helicopters.
The H225Ms will be equipped for combat search and rescue operations and operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The aircraft will replace Pumas that have been in service for more than 40 years.
“We are honored that Morocco has chosen to replace its legacy Puma fleet with the H225M,” said Bruno Even, chief executive at Airbus Helicopters. “This is another step in the partnership we have been building over the decades with the Kingdom of Morocco. The H225M is enjoying momentum on the market.”
The Royal Moroccan Air Force H225Ms will be equipped with a double hoist installation, a searchlight and a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system. The helicopters will be able to carry machine guns and an electronic warfare system for self-protection.
The contract with Airbus Helicopters includes a support and service package with connected services. More than 360 H225s and H225Ms are in service around the world, totaling close to 980,000 flight hours.
Military customers include France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq and Kuwait. According to Even, the aircraft is used for combat search and rescue and special operations.
Airbus has had a presence in Morocco since 1951 through Airbus Atlantic, a wholly owned Airbus subsidiary specializing in composite manufacturing, assembly of metallic sub-assemblies, and maintenance and support of avionics equipment.
Airbus Helicopters announced the creation of a customer center in Morocco in 2024, providing support for 60 Airbus helicopters in service with the Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie. The facility will develop into a service center for maintenance, repair and overhaul with dedicated facilities and will become the regional center for Airbus helicopters in West Africa.
