Airbus Helicopters has received a contract from the Kuwait Ministry of Defence to deliver 30 H225M Caracal multirole utility helicopters.
The deal, which was signed during the visit of French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Kuwait, is valued at more than €1bn, The Associated Press reported.
The Kuwait Air Force and Kuwait National Guard will operate the new H225Ms for combat search-and-rescue (SAR), naval operations, medical evacuation and military transportation.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury said: “Our relationship with Kuwait dates back more than 40 years with Super Pumas, Pumas and Gazelles having been delivered to the Armed Forces of the State of Kuwait over the past decades.
“This H225M Caracal contract opens a new chapter in our cooperation.
"I would like to personally thank the Kuwait Air Force which placed its trust in our products to renew its helicopter fleet, and I am also grateful for the confidence of the Kuwait National Guard which has decided to create its helicopter squadron with the support of Airbus Helicopters.”
Powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines, H225M comes with an all-glass cockpit, avionics and an integrated display system, including a digital map.
The helicopter can carry side-firing armaments such as two 7.62mm general purpose machine guns and a 20mm cannon, as well as axial pods including two 68mm rocket launchers or two 20mm cannons.
Its electronic warfare systems include a radar warning receiver, laser warning receiver, missile approach warner and chaff and flare dispensers.
With this deal, Kuwait becomes the seventh country to join the community of Caracal users.
To date, 138 H225M Caracals have been ordered by France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Kuwait.
Image: A H225M Caracal multirole utility helicopter. Photo: © Airbus Helicopters.
