Romania's attempt to renew its aging helicopter fleet has reached a bureaucratic deadlock, as the Romanian Army pushes to acquire modern H225M helicopters while Airbus offers only production rights for the older H215M model. The dispute has effectively frozen progress on the country's long-awaited army aviation modernization program, even as Romania's current IAR-330 Puma fleet nears the end of its operational life.
The Ministry of National Defense of Romania initially sought to replace the IAR-330 helicopters, locally built under Cold War-era French licenses, with a more capable and versatile platform. The preferred option, Airbus' H225M (also known as the EC725 Caracal) helicopter, represents the newest member of the Super Puma/Cougar family and is already in service with several NATO allies, including France and Brazil.
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However, Airbus has only granted Romania a license to assemble the older H215M (previously known as the AS532 Cougar) helicopter, a design whose origins date back to the 1970s.
The two helicopters share the same lineage but differ markedly in capability and technology. The H215M helicopter, though described by Airbus as a "proven and reliable workhorse", belongs to an earlier generation.
The H225M helicopter, on the other hand, is positioned as the most advanced and truly multi-role variant of the Super Puma family, integrating modern avionics, mission systems, and weapon capabilities that meet contemporary military demands.
From a technical standpoint, the H225M helicopter significantly outperforms its predecessor. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 11 tons compared to 9 tons for the H215M unit and can carry 5.25 tons of payload versus 4.25 tons. Its troop capacity is also larger, 28 soldiers instead of 24, thanks to the use of more powerful Makila 2A engines producing 1,800 kW, compared to the older Makila 1A units with 1,400 kW. In addition, the H225M unit can be equipped with Airbus' HForce weapon management system, allowing the integration of precision-guided air-to-ground missiles.
Given these advantages, the Romanian military's preference for the H225M helicopters is entirely logical. The helicopter's combination of payload, range, and modular combat capability makes it a better fit for Romania's defense modernization goals and NATO interoperability standards. The reluctance of Airbus to license the H225M production in Romania, despite having a well-established presence in the country, therefore raises eyebrows.
Airbus Helicopters Romania, based in Brașov, is a joint venture in which Airbus holds a 60% stake alongside the local aerospace manufacturer Industria Aeronautică Română. The company has been producing and maintaining helicopters for decades, including around 360 units of the Alouette III and Puma series under French license. A 2017 agreement to start production of the H215M helicopters in Brașov remains unrealized due to the Romanian military's insistence on acquiring the newer H225M units.
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