Belgium will acquire 15 H145M multipurpose helicopters for the Army and two helicopters for the Federal Police, plus three options. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium, and Airbus Helicopters.
“We are proud that Belgium is joining the growing community of H145M users,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “In Europe, the robust multi-role helicopter is becoming the reference for tactical airlift capability, special operations, and medical evacuation missions. We are sure that the H145M will quickly become a key asset to the Belgian defence and security portfolio.”
Airbus Helicopters describes the H145M as a multi-purpose military helicopter offering a wide range of mission capabilities. In a matter of minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role, with ballistic and axial guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system, to a special operations version, which includes a rapid rappel kit. Comprehensive mission packages include external lifting and loading capabilities. In addition, the H145M includes options for future mission capabilities, such as data links, more communication systems and digitization of mission capabilities.
The worldwide fleet of the H145 helicopter family has accumulated more than seven million flight hours. It is used by armed forces and police forces around the world for the most demanding missions. Germany already operates 16 H145M LUH SOF and eight H145 LUH SAR helicopters, and has recently ordered up to 82 additional helicopters of this type. The U.S. Army employs nearly 500 H145 family helicopters under the name UH-72 Lakota. Current operators of the H145M are Hungary, Serbia, Thailand and Luxembourg; Cyprus has ordered six aircraft, as have Brunei and the United Kingdom.
Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). In addition, the helicopter is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite which, alongside innovative flight data management, includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, which considerably reduces pilot workload during missions. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145M the quietest helicopter in its class.
