Morocco Resumes Talks with Airbus for 12 Caracal Military Helicopters

The Rabat-Paris axis is strengthening. An offer from Airbus for the acquisition of 12 H225 Caracal helicopters is currently under discussion with Morocco, reports BFMTV. Information confirmed by the Arab Defense Forum, specialized in news from Arab armies. According to this, the French manufacturer has recently presented a new offer to Morocco including 12 Caracal H225 helicopters. In the event of an agreement between the two parties, the signing of the contract could take place during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco planned before the end of 2024.

Morocco wants to acquire eight French Caracal H225M helicopters, and has already started negotiations with the French manufacturer Airbus Helicopters, the French newspaper La Tribune had revealed in 2021. But these negotiations had been suspended due to tensions between the two countries. Today, the page of tensions is turned after the French recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara. According to the forum, the warming of relations between the two countries is at the origin of the agreement on the Scorpene-type submarines.

Armed with 38 caliber 68 mm rockets, two 20 mm cannons with 180 rounds, two 7.62 mm machine guns, as well as anti-ship missiles and anti-submarine torpedoes, the H225 Caracal is a heavy and versatile aircraft, capable of operating in all weather conditions and in extremely hostile combat environments. It is the most advanced member of the Super Puma/Cougar military family of the aerospace manufacturer, we can read on the Airbus website. The 11-metric-ton H225M is known for its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas such as Lebanon, Afghanistan, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic, Somalia and Mali, etc.

Capable of transporting up to 28 commandos or 10 stretchers for medical evacuation, the maximum speed of this military helicopter is 325 km/h with 285 km/h in cruise speed. The first French helicopter equipped with an armor and self-protection system including missile radar detection, the H225M allows military forces to deploy anywhere and at any time. This highly sophisticated aircraft excels in a full range of military missions, including combat search and rescue missions.