Home reports air From 2024, the Bundeswehr will receive up to 82 H145M light attack helicopters

+H145M LKH pm k_Airbus — The light attack helicopter LKH H145M in the combat role with missile launch container on the right side, observation device MX15 and warning receiver on the nose of the aircraft (Photo: Airbus)

From 2024, the Bundeswehr will receive up to 82 H145M light attack helicopters

Gerhard Heiming

December 28, 2023

After a long controversial discussion and tough contract negotiations, the 25 million euro proposal for the procurement of H145M light attack helicopters (LKH) was sent to the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag for approval on December 13, 2023. One day later, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and Airbus Helicopters signed a framework agreement for the procurement of up to 82 light attack helicopters and peripheral services. The office and Airbus informed about this in press releases.

The light attack helicopter LKH H145M in the combat role with missile launch container on the right side, observation device MX15 and warning receiver on the nose of the aircraft (Photo: Airbus)

The financing comes primarily from the Bundeswehr special fund, as the BAAINBw writes. According to the financial plan, 1.9 billion euros of the 2.6 billion euros budgeted for the project are expected to have flowed out by 2027. Then the special assets are exhausted. There are still 700 million euros left until 2031 that have to be financed from the core budget.

In the first step, the framework agreement contains a firm order for 62 aircraft, which are to be delivered between 2024 and 2028. The multi-role helicopters will be delivered with mission equipment for the combat (24 units), training/professionalization (33 units) and SOF (Special Operation Forces, five units) roles. In the basic version, the helicopters are equipped with the H-Force weapons management system, which enables customized armament with appropriate reconnaissance and fire control systems.

Der Rahmenvertrag umfasst nach Angaben des BAAINBw neben der Herstellung und Lieferung der Hubschrauber auch Ersatzteile, acht Ausbildungssimulatoren, die Ausbildung des fliegenden und technischen Personals sowie umfangreiche Service-Leistungen für den Betrieb der Hubschrauber über einen Zeitraum von sieben Jahren.

The International Helicopter Training Center in Bückeburg will be the first unit to receive two helicopters in the training role at the end of 2024. By then, Airbus will have made the site operational. As with the EC135 training helicopters, Airbus provides the machines ready for take-off (this also applies to all the other locations). The first helicopters are initially used for integrated verification testing before they go into training operations. The training center will receive a total of 23 helicopters to carry out basic helicopter training. The eight agreed simulators will be built on site in 2026/2027 by converting the existing EC135 simulators.

The first of five LKHs in the combat role will go to Helicopter Squadron 64 in Laupheim at the end of 2025, which already operates the largely identical H145M SOF. According to Airbus, the helicopters can be equipped with axial ballistic and guided weapons for this role. Airbus introduced LKH with a machine gun pod, rapid-fire cannon, guided and unguided missiles and an electro-optical targeting system. With a state-of-the-art self-protection system, the helicopters can be converted into a version for special operations, which also includes a rappelling device, as Airbus writes.

Das Kamphubschrauberregiment 36 in Fritzlar soll die ersten Hubschrauber in der Rolle Kampf einschließlich Bewaffnung ab Mitte 2026 erhalten. Munition (außer zu Qualifikationszwecken) ist im Rahmenvertrag nicht enthalten. Dort sollen die LKH als Brückenlösung die Kampfhubschrauber Tiger ablösen, die ab 2031 sukzessiv die aktuelle qualifizierte Lebensdauer erreichen, wie das BMVg im 17. Rüstungsbericht vom Juni 2023 geschrieben hat. Damit soll die Fähigkeit zur bodennahen Luftunterstützung zur Abwehr gepanzerter Einheiten bis zur Entscheidung über die Nachfolge des KH Tiger erhalten werden.

When flying around a curve, you can see a container with a heavy machine gun on the left side of the helicopter. (Photo Airbus Wagner)

The two transport helicopter regiments 30 (Niederstetten) and 10 (Faßberg) will each receive their five LKH in the training/professionalization role from March 2027 and February 2028, respectively. The 62nd and last helicopter from the firm order is scheduled to be delivered on July 31, 2028.

In summary, the delivery plan envisages the inflow of two or four aircraft in the first two years. The remaining 56 helicopters will be delivered in roughly equal tranches over the next three years until 2028.

When procuring it, the Bundeswehr deliberately chose a type of helicopter that was available on the market and was already used by the special forces and for rescue operations, writes the BAAINBw. In addition to armament, the multi-role helicopter can be equipped with various equipment kits: electronic self-protection systems, ballistic protection or additional equipment for use over sea. The helicopter also has powerful reconnaissance sensors. These enable the crew to fly missions day and night. This means that the H145M can be used extremely flexibly by the army and air force.

Airbus describes the H145M as a multi-role military helicopter that offers a wide range of operational capabilities. The helicopter can be converted for different roles within a few minutes. The comprehensive mission packages also include winch and external load capabilities. In addition, the new German H145M has options for future mission capabilities such as manned-unmanned teaming, as well as the latest data connections and communication systems.

According to the BMVg, the contract was awarded to Airbus in accordance with Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Without exception, military aircraft would be procured, which were urgently needed to maintain the Bundeswehr's operational capability in ground air support and to ensure the training of helicopter pilots. There is a possibility that a competing market participant will initiate review proceedings.

Gerhard Heiming

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