Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract for 12 H-225M multi-role aircraft by the Republic of Iraq. The contract was signed in Baghdad by the Minister of Defence of Iraq Thabet al-Abbassi in the presence of the French Ambassador Patrick Durel. These helicopters will be operated by the Iraqi Army Aviation command replacing older Mi-17s for a wider range of missions (counter-terrorisim, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack, ground fire support, MEDEVAC and combat search and rescue). Deliveries will start in 2025. Iraq already operates a fleet of Airbus helicopters from the H-125, H-135 and H-145 families. 

The H-225M has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas. Benefiting from industry’s continuous improvement policy, the model is now equipped with new avionics, an enhanced main gear box, airborne communication systems and can be equipped with the HForce weapon system. The maximum take off weight has been increased by 160 kg to reach 11,160 kg. 

There are more than 350 H-225s and H-225M units in service across the world, totaling more than 880,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary.