Belgium has received its first H145M multi-role military helicopter from Airbus, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing defense modernization program.
The delivery is part of a 17-aircraft procurement agreement signed in June 2024 through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to equip both the Belgian Armed Forces and the Federal Police. Belgium has since expanded the order by three additional helicopters, bringing its planned H145M fleet to a total of 20 aircraft.
With the introduction of the H145M, Belgium joins a growing group of European operators of the platform, including Germany, Hungary, and Serbia.
The H145M is the military variant of Airbus’ H145 helicopter family, whose civilian and military versions are widely used around the world for a variety of missions. Notable derivatives include the US Army’s UH-72 Lakota and the British Army’s Jupiter HC Mk2.
Designed for multi-domain operations, the H145M incorporates advanced digital connectivity features, enabling integration into network-centric warfare environments and cooperation with uncrewed aerial systems. Its modular mission architecture allows rapid reconfiguration for missions ranging from light attack and special operations to search-and-rescue tasks.
The helicopter is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) technology and features Airbus’ Helionix digital avionics suite. The platform also benefits from a low acoustic signature, achieving speeds of up to 268 kilometers per hour and an operational range of approximately 663 kilometers.
