The German Bundeswehr has initiated the largest order in history for the military variant of the Airbus Helicopter H145M, which could reach a maximum of 82 units.

In addition to 62 firm orders and 20 options, the contract stipulates seven years of maintenance and support, eight simulators, spare parts, and pilot and maintenance staff training.

The aircraft will serve as a light аssаult helicopter as part of a bridge solution to replace the fleet of Tigers owned by the German Army.

57 of the new aircraft will be allocated to the German Army, while the remainder will be utilized by the Luftwaffe’s special forces.

The order was executed subsequent to the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag endorsing the procurement on December 13. It will be funded through a “special fund” of €100 billiоn established by the nation for military modernization.

“We are honored that the Bundeswehr has decided to order up to 82 H145M helicopters,” Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said in an announcement press release. With its fleet of H145M LUH Special Operations Forces aircraft, the German Air Force has amassed considerable operational expertise.

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The “extremely ambitious delivery schedule,” which stipulates that the initial aircraft will be delivered in 2024 and the final one in 2028, was also mentioned.

The H145M is a versatile aircraft that can be rapidly converted from a light аttаck role (equipped with axial ballistic and guided weapons as well as self-protection systems) to a special operations variant featuring fast rappelling equipment, thereby accommodating a wide variety of mission capabilities.

Airbus asserts that the newly developed German H145M incorporates provisions for forthcoming mission functionalities, such as enhanced data connections and communication systems and the capacity to function with manned-unmanned teaming integration.

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The fundamental iteration of the aircraft will feature fixed provisions, such as the HForce weapon management system manufactured by Airbus. According to Airbus, this will enable the Bundeswehr to provide pilot training on aircraft that are utilized in both combat and operations.

The aircraft will be stationed at the International Helicopter Training Center in Bückeburg, the Air Force base in Laupheim, and Army bases in Niederstetten, Fritzlar, and Faßberg.

Eight H145 LUH search-and-rescue helicopters and sixteen H145M LUH special operations helicopters are already in service with the Bundeswehr. Nearly 500 UH-72 Lakota helicopters from the H145 family are in service with the United States Army. In addition to Luxembourg, Hungary, Serbia, and Thailand are also H145M operators. The Republic of Cyprus has placed an order for six aircraft.