Airbus agrees record deal for 44 H225s for use by German Federal Police

Airbus expects to begin deliveries in 2029.

Airbus has agreed a record deal with the German Ministry of the Interior for up to 44 H225 helicopters to fly Federal Police missions. The agreement includes 38 firm orders with options for a further six helicopters. Deliveries are due to start in 2029.

Bruno Even, CEO, Airbus Helicopters welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the security of Germany. “The Bundespolizei can look forward to a modern helicopter thanks to the continuous improvements we’ve made to our H225 in recent years. It will remain one of the most advanced helicopters available on the market for the decades to come.”

The new H225s will replace the H155 and AS332 helicopters that have served with the German Federal Police for more than 20 years. The H225’s payload, range and advanced systems make it suitable for a range of law enforcement and homeland security missions including firefighting, disaster relief and special forces transport.

The contract also includes training and spare part packages to ensure a smooth transition for pilots and maintenance personnel.

The German Federal Police (or Bundespolizei) operates 94 Airbus helicopters. Its fleet ranges from the single-engine H120, used for pilot training, to more than 40 twin-engine H135s for emergency medical services (EMS) missions on behalf of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance and the Super Puma range, of which the H225 is the latest variant.

The partnership between Airbus and the German authorities began in 1962. This was when the Bundespolizei (at that time Bundesgrenzschutz) began operating the Alouette II, manufactured by Airbus predecessor company Aérospatiale.