Airbus delivers first of up to 82 H145Ms to German Armed Forces
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of up to 82 H145M helicopters to the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) from its facility in Donauwörth, less than a year after the contract was signed.
Dubbed the “Leichter Kampfhubschrauber” (Light Combat Helicopter), or LKH, by the Bundeswehr, the H145M is set to perform a variety of missions, including training, reconnaissance, special forces operations, and light attack roles.
The inaugural H145M LKH, configured for training, will be stationed at the German Army’s Bückeburg base. Pilot training began in August 2023, ahead of schedule, ensuring a smooth operational rollout. Deliveries of H145Ms configured for light attack are slated to commence in 2025, in line with the contract timeline.
In December 2023, the Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters finalised an agreement for up to 82 multi-role H145M helicopters—62 firm orders and 20 options. This represents the largest-ever order for the H145M and its advanced HForce weapon management system.
The deal also includes a seven-year support and service package to ensure seamless integration and operational readiness. Of the 82 aircraft, the German Army will receive 57, while the Luftwaffe’s special forces will take delivery of five.
The H145M is a highly adaptable military helicopter which can transition from a light attack configuration—with axial ballistic and guided weapons and an advanced self-protection system—to a special operations platform equipped with fast-roping systems in minutes.
The H145M is the military variant of the H145, a light, twin-engine helicopter with a global reputation for reliability. The H145 family has amassed nearly eight million flight hours worldwide, serving armed and law enforcement forces in some of the most demanding missions.
“We remain a reliable partner of the German Bundeswehr. Delivering the first H145M LKH in less than a year after the contract signature demonstrates our commitment. The H145M LKH will be a true multi-mission asset for the German Armed Forces, supporting their crucial missions,” said Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.
