The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has signed a landmark contract with Airbus Helicopters for 10 H225M “Caracal” multi-role helicopters, a major step in replacing its ageing SA 330 Puma fleet and modernising the country’s combat search and rescue and special operations capabilities. The deal was announced on the second day of Dubai Airshow 2025. [1]
Key points at a glance
- Customer: Kingdom of Morocco / Royal Moroccan Air Force
- Supplier: Airbus Helicopters
- Type: H225M Caracal (twin‑engine, medium/heavy multi‑role helicopter)
- Quantity: 10 aircraft
- Primary mission: Combat search and rescue (CSAR) and special operations
- Replaces: Long-serving SA 330 Puma fleet in RMAF service for 40–50 years [2]
- Extras: Full support and services package, including connected maintenance tools [3]
Deal sealed on Day 2 of Dubai Airshow 2025
The H225M contract was formally unveiled at Dubai Airshow 2025, where Airbus confirmed that Morocco had signed for 10 aircraft that will be operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force. [4]
According to Airbus and multiple defence outlets, the agreement was signed ahead of the show and publicly announced today, 18 November, as part of a busy second day that also featured:
- Air Europa signing an MoU for up to 40 Airbus A350‑900s to renew its long‑haul fleet. [5]
- Etihad Airways disclosing commitments for 25 Airbus widebodies, including its first A330neo orders. [6]
- flydubai becoming a new Airbus customer with a massive MoU for 150 A321neos. [7]
- Gulf Air finalising a firm order for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, plus options for three more. [8]
Within that flurry of commercial announcements, Morocco’s H225M purchase stands out as one of the day’s most significant defence deals, directly reshaping the kingdom’s rotary‑wing capabilities.
Why Morocco is replacing its Puma helicopters now
Morocco’s Puma fleet has been the backbone of its medium‑lift helicopter operations since the mid‑1970s. The country originally ordered around 40 SA 330 Puma helicopters in the mid‑1970s, with the remaining aircraft modernised in the mid‑2000s to extend their service life. [9]
However, several factors are now pushing Rabat to move on:
- Age and maintenance burden – Many of Morocco’s Pumas have been in service for more than four decades, with some sources putting their time in RMAF service closer to 50 years. [10]
- Capability gap – Modern CSAR and special operations missions require advanced sensors, self‑protection systems and long‑range performance that legacy Pumas struggle to match. [11]
- Fleet rationalisation – By moving to the H225M, which sits in the same broad “Super Puma” family, Morocco can leverage continuity in crew training and maintenance practices while stepping up to a far more capable airframe. [12]
Different specialist outlets count slightly different numbers of Pumas still in use—some cite a fleet of 24 SA 330L airframes, others refer to 26 SA 330s—but all agree that the RMAF is operating a few dozen aircraft that are both old and intensively utilised. [13]
The H225M order therefore marks a generational change, swapping a 1960s‑era design for a 21st‑century platform tailored to complex missions over land and sea.
What the H225M brings to the Royal Moroccan Air Force
The H225M Caracal is the latest, militarised member of the Super Puma family. It has been optimised for long‑range, high‑risk missions, including CSAR, special operations, troop insertion, medical evacuation and maritime tasks. [14]
Mission equipment for CSAR and special ops
Morocco’s H225Ms will be delivered with a mission fit that closely mirrors the helicopter’s use in other air arms: [15]
- Double rescue hoist – allowing rapid extraction of multiple survivors in demanding conditions.
- High‑power searchlight – for night and low‑visibility operations.
- Safran Euroflir 410 electro‑optical/infrared turret – giving crews a stabilised, long‑range sensor for detection, identification and tracking.
- Door‑mounted machine guns – providing suppressive fire during insertion and extraction.
- Electronic warfare (EW) self‑protection suite – to detect threats and automatically deploy countermeasures.
Janes also notes that the H225M’s four‑axis autopilot, “auto‑recovery” function and over‑water flotation gear are key advantages in the search‑and‑rescue role, helping pilots maintain stability in hover, manage disorientation and survive an emergency ditching at sea. [16]
Performance and payload
While specific Moroccan configurations are not disclosed, the H225M typically offers: [17]
- Seating for up to around 28 fully equipped troops, or a mix of stretchers and medics in MEDEVAC layout.
- Long range and endurance suitable for deep‑penetration rescue missions.
- A robust airframe designed for all‑weather, day‑and‑night operations.
Globally, more than 360 H225/H225M helicopters are in service, with nearly 980,000 flight hours accumulated. Military operators include France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq and Kuwait, among others—underscoring Morocco’s choice to join a well‑established user community. [18]
A core element of Morocco’s wider airpower modernisation
The H225M order is not an isolated purchase. It slots into a broader, multi‑year effort by Rabat to overhaul its air forces:
- Apache attack helicopters – Morocco ordered 24 Boeing AH‑64E Apaches in 2020, with deliveries beginning in 2025; early helicopters were formally handed over at a ceremony near Rabat this year. [19]
- C‑130 Hercules upgrades – In mid‑2025, L3Harris Technologies secured a multi‑year contract to modernise parts of the RMAF’s C‑130 fleet, including avionics upgrades, depot maintenance and engine overhauls through 2029. [20]
- New maintenance hubs – Morocco is investing in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure for its F‑16s and C‑130s, alongside Airbus’ own plans for a helicopter MRO centre in the country. [21]
Aviation Week highlights that the H225M deal is explicitly framed by Airbus as a rotary‑wing modernisation move, complementing the introduction of Apache attack helicopters and rejuvenation of the airlift fleet. [22]
In other words, Morocco is building a coherent, layered aviation force:
- Apaches for strike and close air support,
- H225Ms for CSAR and special operations,
- C‑130s and F‑16s for airlift and combat air patrols, backed by new maintenance capabilities at home.
Industrial partnership: Airbus deepens its footprint in Morocco
Beyond sheer capability, the H225M order strengthens Morocco’s role as an aerospace hub in Africa.
According to Airbus and multiple independent reports: [23]
- Airbus has been present in Morocco since 1951, primarily through Airbus Atlantic, which manufactures composite structures and complex metallic sub‑assemblies and provides avionics support.
- In 2024, Airbus Helicopters announced a customer centre in Morocco to support roughly 60 Airbus helicopters operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Navy and Gendarmerie.
- That facility is planned to evolve into a full MRO centre for Airbus helicopters in West Africa, handling maintenance, repair and overhaul for regional operators.
By tying the H225M purchase to this existing ecosystem, Morocco gains more than aircraft—it gets localised support, training and long‑term sustainment, reducing dependence on overseas depots and allowing for quicker turnaround on mission‑critical assets.
How defence and aviation media are covering the H225M deal
Today’s announcement has been widely reported across the defence and aviation press, each outlet adding nuance:
- Airbus’ official press release confirms the configuration and emphasises the long‑term partnership with Morocco and the H225M’s strong market momentum. [24]
- Aviation Week frames the contract as part of a broader rotary‑wing modernisation, pointing to concurrent Apache deliveries and the boost to the Super Puma programme. [25]
- FlightGlobal highlights that Morocco is now the latest H225M customer and links the announcement to a separate L3Harris C‑130 support contract, underscoring how fixed‑ and rotary‑wing upgrades are moving in parallel. [26]
- Janes focuses on the search‑and‑rescue angle, particularly the H225M’s over‑water features, flotation gear and autopilot capabilities. [27]
- Outlets such as AeroTime, Aviation24 and Aviation News stress the replacement of the ageing Puma fleet, Airbus’ long presence in Morocco, and the creation of a regional helicopter MRO hub. [28]
The broad consensus: this is a headline defence story of Dubai Airshow 2025, with implications that extend well beyond a simple fleet refresh.
What we still don’t know
As of today’s announcements, several key details remain undisclosed:
- Contract value – None of the official or industry sources have published a price tag. [29]
- Delivery schedule – Airbus has not yet publicly confirmed when the first Moroccan H225M will be handed over or when initial operational capability is expected. [30]
- Local industry workshare – While Morocco is clearly positioned as a regional MRO hub for Airbus helicopters, the extent of any direct industrial participation or offset specific to the H225M order has not been detailed. [31]
Those pieces will be crucial in understanding how quickly the RMAF can phase out its Pumas and how deeply the programme will tie into Morocco’s own aerospace industry.
What this means for the region
By opting for the H225M, Morocco signals several strategic priorities:
- Resilience and rapid response
CSAR and special operations capabilities are central to modern operations—from counter‑terrorism and border security to disaster relief and maritime rescue. A modern CSAR helicopter fleet gives Morocco more reach and survivability in these missions. - Interoperability with key partners
Joining a club of H225M operators that includes France, the Netherlands, Hungary and Iraq, among others, improves interoperability in joint exercises and multinational operations. [32] - Balancing suppliers
Morocco is deepening ties with both European and US defence manufacturers—Airbus on helicopters and transport aircraft, Boeing on Apaches and potentially other fixed‑wing platforms. This diversity can reduce dependency and increase leverage in future negotiations. - Building an aerospace hub
With Airbus, Boeing and major defence contractors all now tied into long‑term programmes in the kingdom, Morocco is steadily positioning itself as a regional aviation and MRO hub, serving both North and West Africa. [33]
FAQ: Morocco’s H225M helicopter deal
How many H225Ms has Morocco ordered?
Morocco has ordered 10 H225M Caracal helicopters from Airbus Helicopters. [34]
What will they be used for?
They will primarily perform combat search and rescue and special operations missions, with flexibility for troop transport, medical evacuation and other multi‑role tasks. [35]
Which helicopters are they replacing?
The H225Ms are slated to replace the RMAF’s long‑serving SA 330 Puma fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s. [36]
Is the contract value known?
No. Neither Airbus nor Moroccan authorities have disclosed the contract value. [37]
When will deliveries start?
A delivery timeline has not yet been made public. [38]
References
1. www.airbus.com, 2. www.airbus.com, 3. www.airbus.com, 4. www.airbus.com, 5. www.airbus.com, 6. www.flightglobal.com, 7. www.airbus.com, 8. www.aviation24.be, 9. www.aerotime.aero, 10. www.airbus.com, 11. www.janes.com, 12. www.airbus.com, 13. www.flightglobal.com, 14. fr.wikipedia.org, 15. www.airbus.com, 16. www.janes.com, 17. fr.wikipedia.org, 18. www.airbus.com, 19. boeing.mediaroom.com, 20. www.flightglobal.com, 21. www.airbus.com, 22. aviationweek.com, 23. www.airbus.com, 24. www.airbus.com, 25. aviationweek.com, 26. www.flightglobal.com, 27. www.janes.com, 28. www.aerotime.aero, 29. aviationweek.com, 30. www.flightglobal.com, 31. www.airbus.com, 32. www.airbus.com, 33. www.airbus.com, 34. www.airbus.com, 35. www.airbus.com, 36. www.airbus.com, 37. aviationweek.com, 38. www.flightglobal.com
