Iraq receives first H225M helicopters
One of the first two of 14 H225M helicopters for Iraq undergoing pre-delivery trials at Airbus Helicopters' Marignane production facility in southern France, ahead of their formal acceptance by Abbasi on 30 April. (Airbus Helicopters)
Iraq has received the first two of 14 Airbus H225M Caracal medium-lift helicopters, the manufacturer announced on 30 April.
The first two refurbished airframes were formally received by Iraq's Minister of Defence Thabet Mohammad Saeed al-Abbasi, ahead of the commencement of deliveries of 12 newbuild helicopters to Iraqi Army Aviation Command (IAAC).
News of the milestone came eight months after Iraq signed for 14 H225M helicopters in September 2024. No contract value was disclosed.
The deal announced by Abbasi was part of a wider revamp of Iraq's helicopter forces, geared at replacing Russian-built models with Western ones.
Based on the Puma family, the H225M (previously known as the EC725) is an 11-tonne twin-engined helicopter that can carry up to 28 people and is typically used for combat search-and-rescue, naval operations, medical evacuation, and military transportation. Airbus Helicopters noted that in Iraqi service, the type will also be used for special operations.
For more information on Iraqi Army helicopter plans, please seeIraqi army planning to buy Bell helicopters to replace Russian models .
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