French Air and Space Force H225M Delivered

The Direction Generale de l'Armement delivered the last of eight H225M Caracal helicopters ordered from Airbus Helicopters in 2021 to the French Air and Space Force on 8 June 2026, closing a batch delivered from January 2025 onward. The eight aircraft are built to the AP OLA standard, with upgraded avionics, a new electro-optical turret and a twin hoist for faster rescue work. Four went to French Guiana, two to Djibouti and the remainder to New Caledonia, in each case replacing the SA330 Puma. The delivery takes the service to 19 Caracal; a further eight are to transfer from the Army's 4e RHFS once its NH90 special forces helicopters arrive.