Morocco orders 10 Airbus H225M helicopters to replace ageing Pumas at Dubai Airshow
November 18, 2025
The Royal Moroccan Air Force has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for 10 H225M rotorcraft, marking a major step in the country’s long-running effort to renew its helicopter fleet.
Announced during the Dubai Airshow, the deal paves the way for the eventual retirement of Morocco’s ageing SA330 Pumas, which have served for more than four decades.
The H225Ms are being acquired for combat search-and-rescue missions, roles that demand long endurance, capable hoisting systems, and reliable performance at night or in poor weather. Airbus has included a support and services package within the contract, providing Morocco with maintenance and operational assistance as the aircraft begin to enter service.
Airbus Helicopters chief executive Bruno Even said the agreement continues a longstanding relationship with the country.
“We are honoured that Morocco has chosen to replace its legacy Puma fleet with the H225M,” he said. “This is another step in the partnership we have been building over the decades with the Kingdom of Morocco.”
Stay up to date with all the news from Dubai Airshow with AGN
Airbus H225M systems and configuration
Delivery timelines have not been disclosed, but Airbus has outlined key configuration details. The aircraft will be equipped with a double hoist, searchlight, and Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical turret, providing the tools required for land and maritime recovery operations. Provision for machine guns and an electronic warfare suite is also included, underscoring the need for self-protection when operating near hostile areas.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Passenger capacity | Up to 28 troops (typical CSAR configuration varies) |
| Crew | 2 pilots plus mission crew |
| Range | Approx. 857 km (463 nm) |
| Endurance | Over 4.5 hours (mission-dependent) |
| Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) | 11,200 kg |
| Powerplants | 2 × Safran Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines |
| Maximum speed | 175 knots (324 km/h) |
| Main rotor | 5-blade composite rotor |
| Hoist | Dual hoist system (CSAR configuration) |
| Electro-optical system | Safran Euroflir 410 |
| Self-protection | Provision for EW suite and machine guns |
The H225M is the military variant of the H225, itself derived from the long-running Super Puma/Cougar family. The large, twin-engine platform is designed for high payloads and long-range missions, keeping it in use with operators such as France, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore and Kuwait.
More than 360 H225/H225M helicopters are currently flying worldwide, with close to one million combined flight hours. Powered by two Safran Makila engines and a five-blade main rotor, the type is suited to demanding SAR operations and can be outfitted with stretchers, consoles and mission-specific equipment. A 4-axis autopilot and advanced navigation suite support search patterns and automatic transitions into the hover.
Morocco continues air force modernisation push
Airbus maintains a long presence in Morocco through Airbus Atlantic, which produces composite structures and assemblies.
In 2024, Airbus Helicopters announced a new customer centre in the country to support the roughly 60 Airbus helicopters already operated by Moroccan state agencies. The site is expected to evolve into an MRO hub for West Africa as the fleet expands.
The H225M acquisition sits within a much larger defence spending programme. Morocco’s 2026 draft finance law allocates around 157 billion dirhams (roughly $16 billion) for equipment, maintenance and development of local defence industry capabilities. The investment continues several years of steady military modernisation.
Rotary-wing transformation is well underway. Deliveries of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States have begun, with the first six aircraft handed over at the 1st Air Base in Salé this year. The programme stems from a $440 million order for 24 Apaches placed in 2020, with options for a further 12.
The new H225Ms will complement these assets, giving the air force a heavy helicopter capable of long-range recovery and support missions across both coastal and inland regions.
For Airbus, the contract strengthens its footprint in North Africa as it expands support services in the region. For Morocco, it signals continued investment in modern, flexible and well-supported aviation capabilities.
