Morocco has inked a deal with Airbus Helicopters to acquire 10 H225M helicopters, as reported by Airbus on their website. These state-of-the-art helicopters are designed for combat, search, and rescue operations and will be deployed by the Royal Moroccan Air Force, effectively replacing the aging Puma fleet that has served for over four decades. Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, «We are honored that Morocco has opted to upgrade its Puma fleet with the H225M helicopters. This marks a new chapter in our longstanding partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco». He further noted, «The H225M model is gaining significant traction in the market and is recognized as a benchmark for executing intricate missions in challenging environments. This order underscores the H225M's status as the go-to choice for combat, search and rescue, and special operations missions globally». The Royal Moroccan Air Force's new helicopters will feature a dual hoist configuration, a searchlight, and a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system. They will also be equipped to carry machine guns and an electronic warfare system for self-defense. The agreement with Airbus Helicopters includes a comprehensive support and service package, which incorporates connected services. It's worth noting that Airbus Helicopters had earlier announced plans to establish a customer center in Morocco to support the fleet of 60 helicopters operated by the Royal Air Force, Navy, and Royal Gendarmerie. This center is set to evolve into a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) service hub with new dedicated facilities, positioning itself as the regional center for Airbus helicopters in West Africa.
