Airbus Helicopters: Increase in helicopter orders in 2025

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Overview of market developments at Airbus Helicopters 2025

In 2025, Airbus Helicopters achieved remarkable growth with a total of 544 gross orders, corresponding to a net order value of 536 aircraft. This increase underscores the continued strong growth in the helicopter market, both in the civil and military sectors. The order list includes customers from 50 countries, highlighting the international significance of the company and its products. Particularly noteworthy is the strong momentum in the area of ​​unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which represent a significant portion of future market growth. In terms of market share, Airbus Helicopters achieved a 51% share in the civil and public sector while simultaneously increasing its military share to 28%. Deliveries totaled 392 helicopters, demonstrating solid production performance.

Key customer orders and product variety

The year 2025 was marked by significant government contracts, highlighting the strategic focus on defense and security. Spain underscored its commitment with an impressive order for 100 helicopters, including 50 H145Ms, 31 NH90s for all three branches of the armed forces, and the first-ever order for H175M models. This demonstrates the breadth and flexibility of the Airbus helicopter fleet in military operations. Germany increased its modernization efforts by taking an option for 20 additional H145Ms, bringing its total to 82 helicopters, with initial deliveries already underway. The NH90 program also saw new developments: the Netherlands added three helicopters to its fleet, and Greece signed a major follow-up support contract. Germany also received its first NH90 Sea Tiger, the latest evolution with state-of-the-art anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities.

The versatility of the Super Puma family was particularly evident in the eight H215s ordered for commercial firefighting operations in Greece. The H225M reached a significant milestone with a contract for ten aircraft to Morocco and the first deliveries to Iraq. The light twin-engine helicopter segment also proved robust: Spain ordered 13 H135s, while the UK National Police Service ordered seven. With 149 orders, the H145 once again cemented its status as the best-selling model in the civilian, public service, and military markets.

Technological innovation and new product developments

A new chapter in vertical aircraft development was opened at VERTICON 2025 with the unveiling of the H140. This light, twin-engine helicopter represents the next generation and incorporates modern “technological bricks,” including a T-tail configuration, which has already resulted in 61 firm orders. At the same time, the Racer project caused a stir by exceeding its initial performance targets and achieving a cruising speed of 440 km/h (240 knots). This result confirms Airbus’s ability to combine speed with a simpler, aerodynamically optimized design.

In parallel, the portfolio in the area of ​​tactical drones was expanded through the integration of Survey Copter. Airbus concluded its first contracts for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with partners such as Drone Forge and the European Maritime Safety Agency, who opted for the Flexrotor model. The French Ministry of Defence ordered six VSR700s, which will be used as part of the pioneering HTeaming concept. This enables seamless, real-time collaboration between manned and unmanned systems, thereby multiplying mission capabilities.

Progress on the H160 program and expansion of its operational profiles

The military counterpart of the H160, the H160M “Guépard,” successfully completed its maiden flight in July. In the civilian sector, the model confirmed its market entry, achieving approximately 50% market share in the medium twin-helicopter class in both the civilian and public service sectors. The first version for law enforcement was delivered to the French Gendarmerie Nationale. Furthermore, its operational versatility has expanded: the fire departments of Hiroshima and Nagoya in Japan adopted the model for firefighting, and the US energy provider PHI Aviation began offshore operations. The H175 received 15 orders in 2025, solidifying its position in the super-medium helicopter segment.

Expansion of global production capacities

The enormous market demand necessitated an expansion of Airbus Helicopters’ industrial base, which is why construction began in 2025 on another final assembly line (FAL) in Vemagal, Karnataka, India. This site will open shortly and represents the fourth FAL worldwide for the H125. With this investment, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to the Indian market and strengthens the resilience of its global supply chain, which is crucial for the on-time delivery to numerous customers.

Civilian and military missions ensured

The year 2025 was marked by strong growth, significant customer orders, and numerous innovations for Airbus Helicopters. The diverse helicopter models, combined with advancements in unmanned aerial systems, reflect the company’s focus on future-oriented technologies and enhanced operational capabilities. The combination of modern technology, strategic partnerships, and a sustainable expansion policy for production facilities ensures competitiveness and positions the company as a leading provider in a dynamically evolving market. This guarantees efficient and effective support for a wide range of civil and military missions in the future.