AviationNews – Airbus Helicopters has officially delivered the first H145M light twin-engine military helicopter to the Kingdom of Belgium during a formal handover ceremony in Donauwörth, Germany. Marking a decisive step in Brussels’ ongoing defense modernization, the Belgian government simultaneously exercised a contract option for three additional units, expanding its total multi-role fleet order to 20 aircraft.
The high-profile delivery on June 24, 2026, stems from a comprehensive procurement contract originally finalized in June 2024 through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The acquisition program was launched to overhaul the outdated rotary-wing capabilities of both the Belgian Armed Forces and the Federal Police. Based at Beauvechain Air Base, this incoming fleet will systematically phase out Belgium’s aging Agusta A109 platforms that have been in active service since the 1990s, while also mitigating operational gaps left by the gradual retirement of the military’s NH90 tactical transport helicopters.
Technically optimized for fluid combat environments, the H145M stands out for its exceptional adaptability, allowing ground crews to completely reconfigure the cabin within minutes. The aircraft quickly transitions from a light attack platform armed with guided weapons and ballistic ballistic systems to a dedicated special operations transport equipped with fast-roping gear. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), the helicopter integrates Airbus’ proprietary Helionix digital avionics suite and a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, which drastically minimizes pilot workload during complex tactical maneuvers.
Highlighting the regional momentum of the defense program, Airbus Helicopters Head of Europe Region Thomas Hein stated that the company is deeply honored by Belgium’s expanding role within the growing community of European nations utilizing this multi-mission platform. He emphasized that the decision to expand the fleet to 20 aircraft serves as a powerful testament to the deep trust placed in the H145M’s ability to consistently meet today’s evolving security and battlefield challenges.
This initial delivery initiates a continuous rollout schedule from the German production lines, with full fleet deliveries slated for completion by the end of 2027. Moving forward, the induction of these modular aircraft will heavily influence Western European tactical airlift frameworks, providing a blueprint for neighboring NATO members currently auditing their light utility helicopter capacities.
The successful integration of the H145M ensures that Belgium successfully aligns its national defense infrastructure with unified, network-centric European defense networks. As training units at Beauvechain scale up operations, the digitized fleet will establish a highly flexible, whisper-quiet operational baseline for future air transport and tactical response missions.