On 8 and 9 November 2025, respectively, Bloomberg and Reuters reported, citing budget documents, that the German Federal Ministry of Defence plans to exercise its option and purchase from Airbus Helicopters (part of the Airbus Group) 20 additional H145M light multirole helicopters in the LKH (Leichter Kampfhubschrauber) attack configuration, adding to the 62 previously contracted.
First German H145 LKH / Photo: Airbus Helicopters
According to the reports, Germany will spend 931 million EUR on an additional 20 helicopters, which are to be delivered over a two-year period starting in 2027, as stated in a government document. The financial commitment, first reported by Bloomberg, appears in a German Ministry of Finance document scheduled to be presented to the Bundestag’s Budget Committee (Haushaltsausschuss). Reuters reviewed the document on Sunday.
The German Ministry of Defence declined to comment to Reuters regarding the order, saying it could not discuss procurement plans prior to parliamentary debate.
This is an expansion of the option contained in the framework agreement approved by parliament on 13 December 2023, which covers 62 helicopters in the base order and 20 under the option – a total of 82 aircraft. The H145M in the LKH configuration is being procured as a bridging solution to replace 53 Eurocopter EC665 Tiger UHT (Unterstützungshubschrauber) attack helicopters.
Interestingly, 15 helicopters from the new order will be used for combat missions, while the remaining five will be dedicated to special forces training – and the purchase will be funded through a special fund created earlier this year to finance the urgent modernization of the German armed forces.
The German order will benefit several other companies involved in equipping the helicopters, such as Hensoldt, which will supply electronic warfare equipment and night-vision systems. The German government estimates that the total cost of maintaining and operating all 82 helicopters will reach nearly 3 billion EUR by 2048.
Meanwhile, on 18 November 2024, Airbus Helicopters announced that the first H145M had been delivered to the German armed forces, where it will serve as the reference configuration for LKH attack helicopters. Earlier, on 27 September, it conducted its maiden flight at the Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH production facility in Donauwörth, Bavaria (and pilot training began in August).
Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
This year, the first helicopters were expected to arrive at the Bückeburg Air Base, home to the International Helicopter Training Center (Internationale Hubschrauberausbildungszentrum). Later, through 2028, they will be delivered to frontline units in Niederstetten, Fritzlar, Faßberg, and Laupheim.
The helicopters will be equipped with electronic self-protection systems, ballistic protection, additional equipment for maritime environments, and reconnaissance systems including electro-optical sensors. These capabilities will allow crews to operate both day and night.
The first proposals to replace the problematic Tiger helicopters with lightweight H145Ms armed with anti-tank guided missiles (most likely Spike LR2/ER2) and air-to-air self-defense missiles (Stinger), originating from internal Federal Ministry of Defence documents, appeared in the press on 20 March 2023. The purchase was supported by the ministry’s armament secretary, Benedikt Zimmer, who argued that this type was already in service. According to the latest information, the helicopters will be integrated with Euro-GATR guided missiles.
Since 2015, the Bundeswehr has operated 15 militarized H145M LUH SOF helicopters as light support aircraft for the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), equipped with the HForce weapon system. On 13 December 2018, Germany ordered seven H145 LUH SAR (Light Utility Helicopter Search and Rescue) helicopters, with deliveries beginning almost exactly one year later.
Interestingly, before the decision to implement the LKH program, there had been a plan to procure 64 H145Ms. On 26 February 2020, it was reported that of this number, 48 would go to the Army – 24 for training to replace 13 H135 P2+ aircraft, and another 24 for fire support within three aviation regiments as LUH Streitkräfte, fulfilling combat search-and-rescue, liaison, transport, or medical evacuation missions. The remaining 16 helicopters were intended to be split between the Air Force and the Navy.
The H145M is a multirole military helicopter capable of performing a wide range of missions. Worldwide, more than 2,000 aircraft in the H145 family have accumulated over 8 million flight hours. These helicopters are used by armies, air forces, and law-enforcement agencies around the globe in the most demanding operations. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 features a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. Its Helionix digital avionics suite, combined with advanced flight-data management solutions and an efficient four-axis autopilot, significantly reduces pilot workload during missions. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class.
In addition to Germany, the militarized H145M variant has been ordered by Luxembourg, Belgium, Ecuador, Serbia, Hungary, Brunei, Ireland, and Cyprus. It is also currently being offered to Poland, in cooperation with local industry, as part of the program to acquire 24 training helicopters within an integrated training system for combat helicopter pilots.
