Morocco has finalised a contract to buy 10 H225M Caracal helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, giving the Royal Moroccan Air Force a modern combat search-and-rescue and special-operations platform to replace its aging Puma fleet.
On 18 November 2025, Airbus announced the deal at the Dubai Airshow, confirming months of speculation about the order’s size and scope. The Kingdom of Morocco signed the contract for 10 H225M helicopters, which will be equipped for combat search-and-rescue operations and operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The aircraft will replace Morocco’s Puma fleet, which has flown for more than 40 years.
There are more than 360 H225s and H225Ms in service around the world, totaling close to 980,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq and Kuwait, according to Airbus.
The H225M is a twin-engine, 11-tonne-class helicopter built by Airbus for tactical transport, combat search-and-rescue (CSAR), special operations and medical evacuation. It descends from the Super Puma and Cougar family and entered service in the mid-2000s. According to Airbus’s own technical data, the aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of about 11,000 kg, a top speed of 324 km/h and a maximum range of 920 km on standard fuel tanks, extending to roughly 1,253 km with additional tanks. It can carry a sling load of up to 4,750 kg.
The cabin accommodates up to 28 fully equipped combat troops, or a few casualties on stretchers when configured for medical evacuation. Crews fly it day or night and in poor weather, aided by systems built for low-altitude operations. An air-to-air refueling capability lets the Caracal extend its reach further by taking fuel from another aircraft in flight, a feature useful for deep missions alongside larger transport aircraft such as the A400M.
Morocco’s H225Ms are expected to carry a mission fit similar to other export customers. Reporting on the configuration points to a double hoist system for rescue work, a searchlight and a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical and infrared turret for day and night surveillance.
The helicopters will also mount door guns, and Airbus offers the type with an electronic warfare self-protection suite that can detect radar, laser and missile threats and deploy countermeasures. Depending on configuration, the H225M can also carry rocket pods, machine guns and, on some export models, guided missiles.
Morocco already operates the heavy-class H225 Super Puma in Gendarmerie Royale service, so the new Caracal order extends an existing relationship with Airbus rather than initiating a new one. It also sits within a wider rotary-wing modernization drive. The Royal Moroccan Air Force began receiving H135M light-twin training helicopters in 2023, while separately taking delivery of Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the United States.
Airbus has had a presence in Morocco since 1951 through Airbus Atlantic, a wholly-owned Airbus subsidiary specialising in composite manufacturing, the assembly of complex metallic sub-assemblies, and the maintenance and support of avionics equipment, according to the company.
In 2024, Airbus Helicopters announced the creation of a customer centre in the Kingdom, providing support for the 60 Airbus helicopters in service with the Royal Moroccan Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie. It will develop into a service centre for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) with new dedicated facilities and will become the regional centre for Airbus helicopters in West Africa.
Morocco’s H225Ms are expected to carry a mission fit similar to other export customers. Reporting on the configuration points to a double hoist system for rescue work, a searchlight and a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical and infrared turret for day and night surveillance.
The helicopters will also mount door guns, and Airbus offers the type with an electronic warfare self-protection suite that can detect radar, laser and missile threats and deploy countermeasures.
Depending on configuration, the H225M can also carry rocket pods, machine guns and, on some export models, guided missiles. (Military Africa; Airbus; File Photo: H225M Caracal Helicopter © Airbus)
