Netherlands receives first upgraded Cougar helicopter

An RNLASF Cougar helicopter seen operating in the littoral environment. The service is upgrading all 12 helicopters as an interim measure until the H225M takes over the role. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF) has received back into service the first of 12 upgraded Airbus Helicopters AS532 Cougar medium-lift helicopters, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 9 October 2026.

The helicopter was delivered back into its home station of Gilze-Rijen Air Base in the southern Netherlands, having been modernised by Airbus Helicopters at its Marignane production facility in southern France.

“This type of [helicopter] is outdated, and is therefore being thoroughly overhauled,” the MoD said, adding, “Ultimately, all aircraft must be equipped with a new cockpit. Communication systems and navigation equipment will also have been upgraded. The modernised fleet thus continues to meet military aviation requirements and guarantees interoperability with allies.”

The second modernised Cougar is to be delivered back to the RNLAF in 2026, with two further helicopters arriving in 2027.

The RNLASF uses the Cougar for troop and cargo transportation, and for medical evacuation. The type is slated to remain in service in 2030, at which time it will be replaced by 14 Airbus Helicopter H225M Super Puma/Caracal helicopters. The H225M (previously known as the EC725) is an 11 tonne twin-engined helicopter that can carry up to 28 people, and is to be used by the RNLAF primarily in the special operations forces (SOF) role. Assembly of the first of these new helicopters has now been launched at Marignane.

For more, please see RNLAF stands up H225M special forces unit