Airbus begins H225M build for the Netherlands

An artist's impression of the H225M is Dutch special operations forces configuration and colours. Build of the first of 14 such helicopters was commenced on 7 October 2026. (Airbus Helicopters)

Airbus Helicopters has begun building the first of 14 H225M Super Puma/Caracal rotorcraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 7 October 2026.

The special operations forces (SOF) helicopters will be assembled at the company's Marignane facility in southern France.

“Adapted to Dutch requirements and equipped for special operations. That is the Caracal helicopter, the production of which officially started today. This is the next step in the development of the Dutch special operations capacity,” the MoD said.

The RNLAF ordered the 14 H225Ms in June 2023 to augment and eventually replace the 12 Airbus Helicopters AS532 Cougars flown by 300 ‘Cougar' Squadron. The Dutch MoD announced on 1 October 2024 that 300 Special Operations Squadron was formed at Gilze-Rijen Air Base in southern Netherlands to operate the H225M. The unit is part of SOF Air Rotary Wing (RW), which is itself part of Defence Helicopter Command.

“The duties of the squadron personnel consist of special reconnaissance, offensive actions, and military support. This is always done in collaboration with colleagues from the [army's] Commando Corps and the [navy's] Maritime Special Operations Forces,” the MoD said at that time.

Based on the Puma family, the H225M Super Puma (also known as the Caracal) is the large-cabin version of the H215M. It is an 11 tonne twin-engined helicopter that can carry up to 28 people and is typically used for combat search-and-rescue, naval operations, medical evacuation, and military transportation.