Belgium has officially launched a new chapter in its aviation history with the successful test flight of its first Airbus H145M light utility helicopter on November 14, 2025, at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Donauwörth, Germany. This milestone flight not only signals the commencement of a rigorous certification campaign but also positions the Belgian Defence and Federal Police to modernize and unify their rotary-wing assets for multifaceted operational demands.
A Modern Helicopter for a Multirole Future
The H145M is a versatile, twin-engine light utility helicopter engineered to fulfill an extensive range of military and security roles. For Belgium, this aircraft represents a leap into a modular, cost-efficient, and high-performance future. As part of a €250 million procurement under the STAR defense modernization plan, Belgium is acquiring 17 H145M helicopters—15 for the Belgian Defence and 2 for the Federal Police, with options for three more law enforcement variants.
These helicopters will replace the aging Agusta A109 Hirundo fleet, which has served since the 1990s, and partially take over the troop transport role from the NH90 TTH. The Federal Police will phase out its MD900 Explorer fleet, some of which have already logged over 10,000 flight hours.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026 at Beauvechain Air Base, with full operational readiness by 2027. This carefully planned deployment ensures seamless transition and ongoing mission capability.
Next-Generation Capabilities for National and International Operations
Belgium’s choice of the Airbus H145M is rooted in its exceptional mission flexibility, technological sophistication, and low lifecycle costs. Designed to switch roles rapidly without altering the airframe, the H145M can serve in troop transport, special forces support, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), firefighting, and law enforcement.
Equipped with Safran Arriel 2E turboshaft engines, each producing 828 shp, the aircraft features Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and the Helionix avionics suite, including a four-axis autopilot to reduce crew workload during complex maneuvers. The cockpit is fully compatible with night vision goggles (NVGs) and integrates large multifunction displays, digital moving maps, and real-time system monitoring.
Mission-specific equipment options include:
- Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turrets
- Search and weather radar
- Rescue hoists
- Searchlights
- Cargo hooks for external loads
The aircraft can be outfitted with HForce, a modular weapon system enabling:
- 12.7 mm machine gun pods
- 20 mm cannon pods
- 70 mm unguided/guided rockets
- Spike ER2 anti-tank missiles, in some configurations
Strategic Acquisition Under the STAR Plan
Belgium’s acquisition of the H145M is deeply embedded in its broader STAR defence transformation framework, emphasizing readiness, interoperability, and strategic autonomy. The €250 million deal encompasses more than just airframes. It includes:
- Initial pilot and technician training
- Five-year logistical and maintenance support
- Starter stock of critical spare parts
- Advanced mission training systems
Technicians from Belgium have already embarked on a six-week intensive training cycle, featuring theoretical modules, practical hands-on maintenance, and propulsion system specialization. Pilots will begin flight training at Airbus in early 2026, with Belgian flight instructors certified by summer 2026, ensuring a sustainable in-house capability.
Engineering and Airframe Excellence
At its core, the H145M is a refined evolution of the MBB/Kawasaki BK117 platform, first flown in 1979. Through strategic industrial consolidations, this platform advanced through the EC145 to today’s H145M, featuring a Fenestron tail rotor and a five-blade main rotor for enhanced stability and comfort.
Key design and performance features:
- Maximum takeoff weight: ~3,800 kg
- Useful payload: ~1,900 kg
- Seating capacity: 2 crew + up to 10 passengers or 2 stretcher patients + medics
- Cruise speed: ~240 km/h
- Range: 600–650 km
- Endurance: 3.5 hours
- Operational ceiling: ~20,000 ft (6,000 m) with robust rate of climb
The flat-floor cabin, wide side doors, and rear clamshell doors enable quick reconfiguration between transport, medevac, or patrol missions. Enhanced survivability is ensured through crashworthy seating, self-sealing fuel tanks, and ballistic protection.
A Helicopter Tailored for Belgian Missions
Belgium’s choice to standardize on the H145M enables interoperable missions across military and civilian domains. With this fleet, Belgium will support:
- Rapid troop insertion/extraction
- Urban law enforcement and surveillance
- Night and adverse-weather SAR operations
- Border security and counter-terrorism
- Medical evacuations during natural disasters or conflict zones
This unified platform also streamlines logistics, maintenance, and training pipelines, reducing redundancy and enhancing readiness.
European and Global Integration of the H145M Platform
Belgium joins a growing cadre of European and international operators investing in the H145M for its agility and adaptability. Notable users include:
- Germany: Expanding its fleet to over 80 units
- Cyprus: Replacing Mi-35P fleet with HForce-equipped H145Ms
- Ireland: Acquiring four H145Ms for maritime and surveillance missions
- Brazil: Local assembly and production to strengthen defense industry autonomy
Belgium’s integration into this network enhances opportunities for joint training, multinational operations, and standardized support channels, particularly within NATO and EU frameworks.
Conclusion: A Strategic Leap Toward Operational Modernity
The test flight of Belgium’s first H145M in Germany is more than a technical milestone—it is a strategic statement. It reflects Belgium’s determination to revamp its rotary-wing capability, align with modern operational standards, and fulfill a wide array of defense and security missions both at home and abroad.
Through this program, Belgium is not merely acquiring helicopters—it is investing in a flexible, survivable, and scalable aerial capability that can respond to the unpredictable demands of the 21st century. The H145M’s entry into Belgian service will ensure that the nation remains agile, responsive, and ready for a full spectrum of missions from peacetime support to high-intensity operations.
