Airbus Helicopters H225M / EC725 Caracal

Summary

Description

The EC725 Caracal, now designated as H225M, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed by Eurocopter, now Airbus Helicopters. It is a twin-engine aircraft derived from the Super Puma/Cougar family.

The helicopter was initially developed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a specialized Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) platform, and it made its first flight in November 2000. It was designed for various roles including troop transport, medical evacuation, and logistics support, among others.

In terms of design, the H225M is a twin-engine helicopter, equipped with Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines, and featuring a five-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor. A key aspect of its design was the incorporation of advanced technologies, such as a glass cockpit with electronic flight instrumentation systems.

Safety was another significant focus during the development of the EC225. It was built with a de-icing system, energy-absorbing seats, and a crashworthy fuel system to improve its survivability in adverse conditions. It also featured a four-axis autopilot to enhance flight stability and safety during complex missions.

Armament

The helicopter can be equipped with door-mounted machine guns, generally 7.62mm or 12.7mm caliber, to provide suppressive fire during insertion or extraction missions. In some configurations, it can also carry anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, and even air-to-air missiles, although these are not standard features and require additional modifications.

Operational history

The H225M entered service with the French Air Force in 2005. Since then, its operational history has been marked by a broad range of missions, from combat deployments to humanitarian assistance.

The French military was one of the earliest adopters and has deployed the H225M in various overseas operations. Notably, the helicopter saw action in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), where it was used for medical evacuation, troop transport, and logistical support missions. It has also been involved in French anti-terror operations in the Sahel region of Africa, as part of Operation Barkhane, where its long-range and in-flight refueling capabilities were particularly valuable.

Outside of France, the H225M has been adopted by a dozen countries, including Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mexico, among others. Each of these nations has employed the aircraft in various capacities suited to their specific needs, ranging from anti-submarine warfare to natural disaster relief. For instance, Brazil uses the H225M primarily for naval missions, including anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, while Indonesia employs it for troop transport and utility roles.

Variants

• H225M: Formerly called the EC725 Caracal, this is the military variant that features additional weapon systems and ruggedized equipment for combat search and rescue, utility, and troop transport missions.
• H225 SAR: Civil variant specifically outfitted for search and rescue missions. It comes with specialized SAR equipment, including rescue hoists, searchlights, and other mission-critical systems.
• H225e: Enhanced civil version with new Turbomeca Makila 2B shat engines.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Brazil	39 (+9)
	Kuwait	23 (+1)
	France	22 (+9)
	Mexico	15 (+4)
	Malaysia	12
	Thailand	12
	Indonesia	6 (+10)
	Singapore	5 (+11)
	Taiwan	3
	Tanzania	2
	Vietnam	2
	United Arab Emirates	0 (+24)
	Kazakhstan	0 (+20)
	Hungary	0 (+16)

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

United Arab Emirates • Brazil • France • Hungary • Indonesia • Kazakhstan • Kuwait • Mexico • Malaysia • Netherlands • Singapore • Thailand • Taiwan • Tanzania • Vietnam

Photo of H225M / EC725 Caracal

3-view profile