Morocco Bolsters Air Force with New Airbus H135M Helicopters

The fleet of the Royal Air Force should soon be expanded with two new helicopters: the seventh helicopter (D-HCBV) and the eighth (D-HCBP), announced the forum "FAR-Maroc" on its X account. Arrived in Perpignan, France on Monday, December 11, these aircraft will transit through Spain before being delivered to the Royal Air Force, at the Meknes air base. These are two of the 12 H135M helicopters that Morocco has ordered from the Airbus Helicopters group as part of the contract announced in July 2022 between the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the European manufacturer. In November, the Royal Air Force had proceeded to receive six of these aircraft.

This contract signed by the two parties covers the acquisition of H135M helicopters for training, transport and rescue. "The contract covered a complete package of support services, including the delivery of training aircraft and the training of instructor pilots and maintenance personnel," Airbus said in a press release on July 18, 2022. Its Africa/Middle East manager explained that it is a multi-role, reliable and economical helicopter, perfectly suited to the transition to more complex aircraft.