Netherlands signs for 12 Caracals for Special Operations duties
November 5, 2024
The new aircraft are to be specifically equipped for special operations, but are also capable of being deployed for regular land and maritime operations. The agreement was signed on 5 November by Vice-Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Head of the Netherlands Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) agency, and Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, under the watchful eye of State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman.
The agreement was signed at the Euronaval trade show in Paris, where Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters said that: “We are very proud to see the Royal Netherlands Air Force and COMMIT renewing their trust in Airbus Helicopters. The H225M was selected by the Netherlands in June 2023 after a call for tender and an exhaustive evaluation, after which the Airbus helicopter was considered the best option for the very demanding special forces operations. The proven H225M is unmatched in terms of performance, versatility and range. It can carry extensive mission equipment that can be tailored to each customer’s needs and will be serving its customer’s requirements for the decades to come.”
The contract also includes an initial batch of support and services.
The H225M benefits from Airbus’ continuous improvement policy, and is now equipped with new avionics, an enhanced main gear box, and new airborne communications systems. Maximum take off weight has been increased by 160 kg to 11,160 kg. The type can be armed with the HForce weapon system.
The H225M has proven its reliability and durability under combat conditions. More than 350 H225s and H225Ms are in service around the world, with military customers including France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary. These helicopters have already amassed more than 880,000 flying hours.
The RNLAF had originally intended to purchase 14 of the H225M Caracal Medium Utility Helicopters (MUH), which was selected in 2023 after the completion of a critical study, which found that the Caracal appeared to meet all requirements. After this, the requirements for the new helicopter were further elaborated, and the final configuration was determined with Airbus Helicopters. Airbus Helicopters and the RNLAF worked closely together to adapt the H225M to meet user requirements (together with colleagues from the Korps Commandotroepen and the Maritime Special Operations Forces). The aircraft will have enhanced special operations capabilities to ensure mission success, with new tactical communications equipment, and a unique man machine interface.
During the procurement phase it became apparent that the budget would not allow the purchase of 14, because the required mission equipment turned out to be more expensive than had been expected. That is why the RNLAF is now purchasing just 12 Caracals. These are said to be sufficient to support one SOF mission for a long period and possibly to support a second SOF mission for a shorter period.
The RNLAF currently operates H215M Cougars with its Defence Helicopter Command. These are earlier variants of the same Super Puma family as the Caracal – and the new H225Ms will replace these ageing aircraft, flying special reconnaissance, offensive support and military support missions. As such they will be operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), serving with No.300 Special Operations Squadron at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. The Netherlands will eventually have 12 H225M Caracal helicopters in service, with deliveries running from 2030-2032, when the last aircraft will be delivered.
