Delivery schedule for German H145M light attack helicopters
Starting in 2024, the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) will receive the first of Airbus H145M Leichter Kampfhubschrauber (LKH, light attack helicopters) for which the formal contract was signed on 14 November 2023.
In phase one, the framework agreement contains a firm order for 62 aircraft, which are to be delivered between 2024 and 2028. The H145Ms are delivered with mission equipment for the combat role (24 aircraft), training/professionalisation (33 aircraft) and Special Operation Forces (5 aircraft). The helicopters are equipped with the H-Force weapons management system, which enables customised armament with appropriate reconnaissance and fire control systems.
The Internationales Hubschrauberausbildungszentrum (IHAz, International Helicopter Training Centre) in Bückeburg will be the first unit to receive two helicopters in the training role at the end of 2024. The training centre will receive a total of 23 helicopters for basic helicopter training. Eight agreed simulators will be built on site in 2026/2027 by converting the existing EC135 simulators.
The first of five LKHs in the combat role will go to Hubschraubergeschwader 64 (HSG64) in Laupheim at the end of 2025, which already operates the largely identical H145M SOF. According to Airbus, the helicopters can be equipped with axial ballistic and guided weapons for this role. Airbus introduced LKH with a machine gun pod, rapid-fire cannon, guided and unguided missiles and an electro-optical targeting system. With a state-of-the-art self-protection system, the helicopters can be converted into a version for special operations that also includes a rappelling device, as Airbus writes.
Kampfhubschraubergeschwader 36 (KHR36) in Fritzlar is scheduled to receive the first helicopters in the combat role, including armament, from mid-2026. The LKHs are intended to replace the Tiger attack helicopters as a bridge solution, which will gradually reach the current qualified service life from 2031. This is intended to maintain the ability to provide ground-level air support to defend armored units until a decision is made on the successor to the Tiger.
The two Transporthubschrauberregimenten (THR, Transport Helicopter Regiments) will each receive five LKHs in the training/professionalisation role. THR30 (Niederstetten) and THR10 (Faßberg) will receive their LKHs from March 2027 respectively February 2028. The 62nd and last helicopter from the firm order is scheduled to be delivered on 31 July 2028.
In summary, two to four helicopters will be delivered in the first two years (2024-2025) and the remaining 56 helicopters will be delivered in roughly equal tranches over the next three years until 2028.
Credit photo (just illustrative): heli.planespotter09 (via planespotters.net)