Netherlands Finalizes Deal for 12 H225M Caracal Helicopters for Special Operations

In a new agreement finalized at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition in Paris, the Netherlands Defence Ministry has secured the delivery of 12 H225M Caracal helicopters from Airbus Helicopters.

The contract was signed on November 5 by Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Commander of the Materiel Command and IT, and Airbus CEO Bruno Even, with State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman in attendance. The first Caracal helicopters are expected to arrive in 2030, with the final delivery set for 2032.

These H225M Caracal helicopters will replace the Defence Helicopter Command’s Cougar helicopters, which are currently used in both land and maritime missions. The operational lifespan of the Cougar fleet will be extended until 2030 to ensure continuity until the Caracals arrive. Designed specifically for special operations, the Caracal helicopters will be capable of supporting complex missions and will also be adaptable for regular operational roles. The helicopters will be stationed at Gilze-Rijen Air Base and assigned to the newly formed 300 Special Operations Squadron.

The decision to acquire the Caracal model followed an in-depth evaluation in 2023. The Caracal was selected after a detailed study, which confirmed it could meet the Dutch military’s varied mission requirements. Following the choice, Airbus Helicopters collaborated with the Netherlands Defence Ministry to determine the specific configurations and mission capabilities for the Caracals. This process took into account the needs of the Special Operations Command, the air force, navy, army, and military police.

Originally, the Netherlands had planned to purchase 14 of these medium utility helicopters (MUH). However, increased costs for specialized mission equipment limited the purchase to 12 units. The Defence Ministry stated that with this fleet size, it will be possible to support one long-term special operations mission (SOF) and potentially a second mission for a shorter duration.

The Caracals will be used by the Korps Commandotroepen and the Maritime Special Operations Forces to conduct a range of specialized operations, including reconnaissance, offensive support, and military support.