Morocco Orders Ten H225M Caracal Helicopters from Airbus

Marrakech – After years of negotiations, Morocco has officially ordered ten H225M Caracal helicopters from Airbus Helicopters on September 1. The Royal Moroccan Air Force finalized this long-anticipated contract, which had been in the pipeline for several years, with discussions accelerating last autumn.

The aircraft, primarily dedicated to special military operations, will provide Morocco with a clear superiority over its neighbors, particularly Algeria, which lacks equivalent capabilities in this domain.

The Trump administration reportedly attempted to block this sale from the European multinational Airbus, hoping instead to promote the Sikorsky S-70i Blackhawk – the product of American weapons manufacturer Sikorsky.

While neither the customer nor the manufacturer has disclosed the contract amount, it is clearly a significant deal. Tanzania already operates two Eurocopter EC725 Caracals, making Morocco the largest African operator of the H225M.

The order shows both the H225M’s market dominance in its sector and the strong diplomatic relations between Rabat and Paris. France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in July 2024 has played a major role in strengthening these ties.

According to La Tribune, during President Macron’s state visit to Rabat in October 2024, a larger order of eighteen H225M Caracals worth up to €800 million was expected, though no announcement was made at the conclusion of this diplomatic sequence.

Operational range extends with in-flight refueling

The ten H225M helicopters will primarily serve to rejuvenate the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s aging helicopter fleet, which currently consists of twenty-four Aérospatiale SA.330 Pumas, twenty-four Agusta-Bell AB-205 Hueys, two Bell 212 Twin Two-Twelves, and ten Boeing Vertol CH-47D Chinooks. The average age of these helicopters is 47 years.

The new helicopters will enable Moroccan forces to perform two main special operations missions: combat search and rescue, and the infiltration and exfiltration of special forces behind enemy lines.

These special operations will be facilitated by the H225M’s 1,200-kilometer operational range when loaded and its in-flight refueling capability, which pairs well with Morocco’s two Lockheed KC-130H Hercules tankers.

Morocco’s neighbors can only dream of such capabilities. Algeria relies on Russian-made Mil Mi-17 Hip-H helicopters purchased as simple assault transports for its special operations, while Mauritania possesses only four light helicopters without assault capabilities. The ten H225M helicopters will be operational by 2028.

The H225M Caracal is a heavy tactical transport helicopter known for its versatility. It can carry up to 28 fully equipped commandos and excels in combat search and rescue (CSAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and special forces support.

With all-weather capabilities, night flying ability, and exceptional durability, the helicopter is equipped with an in-flight refueling probe that significantly extends its operational range.

The Caracal has proven its worth in overseas operations, particularly in demanding theaters such as Afghanistan, Mali, and Libya, where its reliability and endurance have been praised.

Its success stems from a combination of factors: modern avionics with an all-screen cockpit and a 4-axis autopilot that reduces crew workload, substantial carrying capacity, and self-protection systems (decoys, threat detectors) that enhance its survivability in hostile environments.

Aircraft number indicates targeted missions, not transport

According to experts, this acquisition provides the Royal Moroccan Air Force with a cutting-edge tool for complex operations with high strategic value. The number of aircraft ordered suggests use for specific operations rather than mass transport missions.

Beyond operational aspects, this acquisition benefits from an important technical advantage: similarity with models already operated by the Royal Gendarmerie.

According to military experts, one of the main advantages lies in the technical platform already familiar to Morocco. The Royal Gendarmerie operates EC225 Super Puma helicopters, which share an almost identical architecture with the Caracal: the same cell, the same motorization, and similar avionic systems.

This technical commonality will allow streamlining maintenance operations by up to 85%, accelerating crew and technician training, and optimizing spare parts management.

According to reports, Airbus Helicopters has agreed to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center in Morocco designed to provide operational support and serve as a platform for West Africa.

Additionally, Franco-Moroccan cooperation in armament has recently been strengthened with the announced creation of a joint armament committee.

As explained by Emmanuel Chiva, the General Delegate for Armament (DGA), this initiative aims to “promote Franco-Moroccan industrial cooperation,” pointing to the “development of Morocco’s Defense Industrial and Technological Base (BITD).”