According to official documents obtained by Reuters, Germany is preparing to purchase 20 additional military helicopters from Airbus under a deal worth around €1 billion. This procurement is part of a broader €3.5 billion defence package aimed at strengthening Germany’s military capabilities amid growing security concerns in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Details of the Helicopter Procurement
Under the new order, Germany will acquire 20 H145M light combat helicopters. Deliveries are set to begin in 2027 and will be completed within two years. Fifteen of the helicopters will be used for combat missions, while five will be allocated for special forces training activities.
The procurement will be financed by a special defence fund established earlier this year to accelerate Germany’s military modernisation efforts. The order is based on a framework agreement signed in 2023, which allows for the purchase of up to 82 Airbus H145M helicopters. With this new acquisition, Germany will have committed to a total of 62 helicopters.
According to the German government, the maintenance and operational costs of the 82-helicopter fleet are expected to reach approximately €3 billion by 2048.
Parliamentary Approval and Impact on the Defence Sector
The procurement proposal is expected to receive parliamentary approval in a closed session scheduled for Wednesday. The proposal from the Ministry of Finance, first reported by Bloomberg, has been submitted to parliament for review. The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the deal, citing the ongoing process.
The agreement is expected to create economic opportunities for numerous companies involved in equipping the helicopters. In particular, defence electronics firm Hensoldt will provide electronic warfare and night vision systems for the new fleet.
Across Europe, governments are rapidly increasing defence spending in response to growing security threats following the war in Ukraine.
