Baghdad, Iraq (Agencies): Iraq has officially received the first two of 14 Airbus H225M Caracal medium-lift helicopters, marking a significant step in modernizing its military aviation capabilities. The refurbished airframes were formally handed over to Iraq’s Minister of Defence, Thabet Mohammad Saeed al-Abbasi, on April 30, ahead of the scheduled delivery of 12 newbuild helicopters to the Iraqi Army Aviation Command (IAAC).
This milestone comes eight months after Iraq signed the deal for the H225M helicopters in September 2024, though the contract value remains undisclosed. The acquisition is part of a broader effort to replace aging Russian-built helicopters with Western models, enhancing Iraq’s operational flexibility.
The H225M, a twin-engine 11-tonne aircraft from the Puma family, is designed for combat search-and-rescue, naval operations, medical evacuation, and military transportation. Airbus Helicopters has confirmed that in Iraqi service, the aircraft will also be deployed for special operations, further strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.
With this latest addition, Iraq is taking a significant step toward modernizing its military fleet, ensuring greater efficiency and readiness for future operations.