Iraq Purchases Airbus Military Helicopters in €800 Million Contract
As part of a new procurement deal, Iraq will equip its air force with 14 helicopters, including 12 CARACAL helicopters, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2025
Photo: Airbus website
On September 5, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with Airbus Corporation to purchase 14 military helicopters. The deal includes 12 H225M helicopters (Caracal) and two additional helicopters of a different model. The signing ceremony took place in Baghdad, and the helicopters are expected to be delivered at the beginning of 2025. According to reports, the cost of the 12 H225M helicopters is estimated at approximately 800 million euros.
The H225M is a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter, developed based on the civilian Cougar MK-2 helicopter. It is designed for rescue and evacuation missions, special operations, and tactical transport missions. The helicopter has an impressive operational range of about 1,200 kilometers, and with additional fuel tanks, it can reach a flight altitude of up to 20,000 feet.
According to reports from Army Recognition, the procurement deal reflects Iraq's strategy to diversify its military equipment sources between Western and Eastern countries. In addition to this deal with Airbus, Iraq is negotiating with Russia to purchase T-90 tanks. Furthermore, cooperation agreements in defense and military fields have been signed with Airbus.
The H225M is currently operated by several air forces worldwide, including Malaysia, Brazil, and Singapore. Its advanced avionics system has been praised for its high quality and the versatility of the helicopter's missions.
