Germany has expanded its order for Airbus H145M light combat helicopters (LKH), exercising an option for 20 additional aircraft from a December 2023 contract. This brings the nation’s total commitment to 82 helicopters, with 72 destined for the German Army and ten for the Luftwaffe’s special forces.
The first H145M LKH was delivered in November 2024, less than a year after the initial contract signing. “This further commitment by one of our home countries is a powerful sign of trust in the H145M’s exceptional performance and multi-role capabilities,” said Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.
The versatile helicopter is designed for a range of demanding missions, including light attack, reconnaissance, special forces operations, and training. It can be rapidly reconfigured between roles; within minutes, it can switch from an attack configuration with ballistic and guided weapons to a special operations setup with fast rappelling equipment. Standard capabilities also include hoisting and external cargo transport.
As the military variant of the proven H145, the H145M benefits from a global fleet that has accumulated over eight million flight hours. The Bundeswehr already operates H145s for special forces and search and rescue. Internationally, the model is widely adopted, with the US Army operating nearly 500 aircraft from the family under the UH-72 Lakota designation. Other military operators include Hungary, Serbia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Thailand.
Technologically advanced, the H145M is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and features the Helionix digital avionics suite. This system includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot to reduce pilot workload. A key operational advantage is its low acoustic signature, making it the quietest helicopter in its class—a critical asset for covert missions.
This new order reinforces Germany’s ongoing military modernization and underscores the H145M’s role as a cornerstone of its light aviation forces.
