Airbus reports strong helicopter orders in 2025

Airbus Helicopters logged 544 gross orders (net: 536) in 2025, highlighting a strong market growth with a solid performance this year across the entire civil and military range. The orders came from 205 customers in 50 countries. The Company also saw a strong market momentum for its Uncrewed Aerial Systems  in 2025. In terms of unit bookings, Airbus Helicopters secured a market share of 51% of the civil and parapublic market and its military market share rose to 28%. The Company delivered 392 helicopters in 2025.  

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters comented: “Airbus Helicopters’ outstanding performance in 2025, marked by an order intake increase close to 20% in units, demonstrates that our modern civil and military portfolios are delivering the precise mission capabilities required in today’s complex environment. Our focus on defence and security has never been sharper. Furthermore, we are leading the shift toward UAS by integrating Survey Copter into our core operations, establishing a comprehensive range of tactical drones. By combining drones with our advanced and unique HTeaming capabilities, we provide a seamless, networked ecosystem for the modern battlespace. I want to thank our customers for their unwavering trust as we continue to pioneer the future of aerospace.”  

The year was defined by major sovereign commitments, most notably from Spain, which placed a landmark order for 100 helicopters—including 50 H145Ms, 31 NH90s for all three branches of the armed forces, and the first orders for the H175M. Germany continued its modernisation by exercising an option for 20 additional H145Ms (bringing the total to 82), with the first helicopters already delivered. Meanwhile, the NH90 programme saw a renewed momentum: the Netherlands added three aircraft to their fleet, Greece signed a critical follow-on support contract, and Germany took delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger, the latest evolution for world-leading Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Warfare capabilities.

In the heavy segment, the Super Puma family proved its versatility as Greece ordered eight H215s for firefighting. The H225M reached new milestones with Morocco signing a contract for ten H225M helicopters, along with first deliveries to Iraq. The light twin segment was equally robust, with Spain placing an order for 13 H135 helicopters and the UK National Police Air Service ordering seven H135s. With 149 orders, the H145 has once again reaffirmed its position as the best seller on the civil and parapublic and military markets. 

Airbus signaled a new chapter in vertical lift at VERTICON 2025 with the unveiling of the H140, a next-generation light twin-engine helicopter. Incorporating techno-bricks like the T-tail configuration, the H140 has already secured 61 firm orders. Innovation also reached new heights with Racer which surpassed its original performance targets to achieve a cruise  speed of 440 km/h (240 kts), reaffirming Airbus’ ability to deliver speed with a simpler aerodynamically optimised architecture. 

The Company also established a comprehensive tactical drone range by integrating Survey Copter into its core offerings. Airbus signed its first UAS contracts with Drone Forge and the European Maritime Safety Agency opting for Flexrotor and the French Ministry of Armed Forces ordering six VSR700s. Through HTeaming, Airbus is pioneering the crewed-uncrewed teaming with a standalone solution that allows crews to manage uncrewed systems in real-time, multiplying mission capabilities. 

This technological leap is mirrored in the H160 programme, which saw its military version, the H160M "Guépard”, complete its maiden flight in July. The H160 confirmed its successful entry into service by securing approximately 50% of the civil and parapublic market share in the medium twin segment. The first H160 in a law enforcement configuration was delivered to the French Gendarmerie Nationale and the programme added firefighting to its mission profiles with a delivery to Hiroshima City Fire Services Bureau and an order from the Nagoya City Fire Bureau. The H160 also began offshore operations for the Energy sector in the U.S. with operator PHI Aviation. The H175 received 15 orders in 2025, solidifying its position in the super medium segment. 

To support this unprecedented demand, Airbus Helicopters continued to expand its global industrial base. In 2025, work commenced on a new Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vemagal, Karnataka, India. To be inaugurated in the coming weeks, this facility will become the world’s fourth H125 FAL, reinforcing Airbus’ commitment to the Indian market and global supply chain resilience.