Germany has expanded its procurement of H145M light combat helicopters, known as Leichter Kampfhubschrauber (LKH), by exercising an option to acquire 20 additional units from Airbus.
The move brings the total order to 82 aircraft as part of a contract originally signed in December 2023 with the aerospace company.
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The initial agreement required Airbus to deliver 62 H145M multi-purpose helicopters to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).
The delivery process began in November 2024, less than a year after contract finalisation, with the first H145M LKH helicopter handed over.
Of the 82 helicopters, the German Army is set to receive 72 aircraft, while 10 will go to the Luftwaffe’s special forces units.
Airbus Helicopters in Germany managing director Stefan Thomé stated: “We are honoured and proud that Germany has decided to order 20 additional H145M LKH helicopters. 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.”
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By GlobalDataThe H145M is a multi-role military helicopter designed for a wide range of missions. In a short span of time, it can be reconfigured from a light attack role, equipped with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a self-protection system, to a special operations configuration with fast-rappelling equipment.
Its mission packages also include hoisting and external cargo capabilities.
Germany will use the H145M LKH helicopter for training, reconnaissance, light attack and special forces operations.
The Bundeswehr currently operates H145 helicopters in roles such as special forces support and search and rescue, further integrating the new H145M fleet into its existing operations.
Cyprus, Ecuador, Honduras, Hungary, Luxembourg, Serbia and Thailand are also military operators of the helicopter.
Recent orders include 17 aircraft for Belgium, six for Brunei and four for Ireland.
500 helicopters from the H145 family serve with the US Army under the designation UH-72 Lakota.
The H145 family has recorded more than eight million flight hours worldwide, according to Airbus.
The H145M operates with two Safran Arriel 2E engines and features full authority digital engine control (FADEC). It is also equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite, which provides advanced flight data management and includes a four-axis autopilot designed to lessen pilot workload during missions.
The order for 20 H145M units comes after Germany purchased an identical number of Eurofighter multi-role combat jets to strengthen its air defence capabilities.
In March 2025, the German parliament passed an amendment relaxing constraints on federal defence spending by adjusting protocols related to budget deficits.
This legislative change allows for increased funding of defence and security budgets.
