The Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) ordered ten H160 helicopters to meet the needs of the French Gendarmerie. The contract was signed in December 2021 and forms part of a broader equipment modernization program for French internal security services under the Ministry of the Interior. In parallel, Airbus has already begun deliveries of new H145 helicopters. According to the schedule, the H160 is expected to achieve operational readiness in early 2027, the next twelve months will be devoted to integrating additional equipment, as well as personnel training and the development of operating procedures.
Airbus H160 in French Gendarmerie colors / Photo: Airbus
The French Gendarmerie is another operator of the H160 helicopters, which are being delivered to customers on an ongoing basis. The civil variant entered service in 2021, and Airbus is currently working on the militarized H160M, with France set to be its first customer.
One day earlier, on December 15, Airbus announced the signing of an addendum to the contract concluded with BAAINBw in December 2023, expanding the German order for H145M multirole helicopters by twenty aircraft. This development had been expected since mid-November, when the German government authorized an increase in the number of helicopters ordered. Of the additional twenty machines, the majority will be delivered to the Bundeswehr (for a total of 72 aircraft), with the remainder going to the Luftwaffe (ten in total). Deliveries of the H145M helicopters contracted in December 2023 began in November 2024.
Germany purchased an additional 20 H145M helicopters / Photo: Airbus
The H145M is regarded as one of the most popular designs in the light multirole helicopter category. To date, Airbus has secured orders for more than 600 production aircraft, which are operated by the armed forces of a growing number of countries. The manufacturer is currently conducting promotional activities in Poland, where a decision is expected on the selection of a supplier for a pilot training system that is to include 24 training helicopters with the capability to employ external (pylon-mounted) weapons.