On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, European company Airbus Helicopters, part of Airbus SE, said it had finalized a contract for the purchase of 10 H125 Écureuil light single-engine helicopters by US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO).
Photo: Airbus Helicopters
The helicopters will be used by Air and Marine Operations to support key law enforcement, border security, and public safety missions in the United States.
“The expansion of this H125 fleet underscores the long-standing collaboration between Airbus and U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” said Bart Reijnen, Head of the North America Region for Airbus Helicopters. “This selection highlights the trust placed in the H125 to perform critical public safety missions under demanding conditions. Airbus remains committed to supporting the agency with reliable aircraft and comprehensive services to ensure continuous mission readiness.”
The H125 light helicopter is a key asset for airborne law enforcement operations across North America. Configured for effective operation in extreme conditions, the helicopter provides the versatility and reliability required for demanding, multi-mission homeland security operations.
Manufactured at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (AHI) in Columbus, Mississippi, the H125 offers excellent visibility and mission versatility, enabling surveillance patrols and tactical operations at low operating cost. The H125 comes standard with advanced safety features such as dual-channel FADEC digital engine control, an engine data recorder, and a dual-hydraulic flight control system. These integrated systems reduce pilot workload and enhance operational safety during complex tactical flights.
The H125 is the world’s leading light single-engine helicopter. This new acquisition will further strengthen CBP AMO’s operational capabilities and support its fleet modernization objectives. The Airbus H125 helicopter family, formerly known as the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, accounts for around 73% of the global single-engine rotorcraft market. The manufacturer has delivered more than 4,300 helicopters to operators worldwide.
In 2024, the Écureuil family celebrated 40 million flight hours and 50 years since the prototype’s first flight. Thanks to new modifications, the platform can easily be reconfigured between multiple mission kits in less than 30 minutes, covering roles from fire support, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, and disaster response to other combat and parapublic operations.
US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations operates UH-1H Huey II, Sikorsky S-76, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, Eurocopter AS350/H125 Écureuil, and Eurocopter EC120/H130 Colibri helicopters.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection orders 10 Airbus H125 helicopters
Read the press release: https://t.co/EOiFqTooGP pic.twitter.com/eoeFJYjZEa— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) July 7, 2026