헬리콥터 네덜란드, 특수부대용 H225M 카라칼 중수송헬기 12기 구입

[위종민]

네덜란드가 특수부대용 H225M 카라칼 중수송헬기 12기 구입 계약을 11월 5일 체결했네요. AS532 쿠거를 대체할 예정이라고 합니다. 

Netherlands orders 12 H225M helicopters for special operations - Breaking Defense

Netherlands orders 12 H225M helicopters for special operations

In October, The Netherlands also announced that a new unit, 300 Special Operations Squadron, based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base, southern Netherlands, had been formally stood up to support the future rotary fleet.

By   Tim Martinon November 05, 2024 at 7:46 AM

Dutch Special Operations Forces (SOF) will receive 12 newly configured H225M Caracal helicopters (Airbus Helicopters)

EURONAVAL 2024 — The Dutch Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Airbus today for the acquisition of 12 H225M Caracal heavy-lift helicopters to equip special operations forces (SOF) and replace aging AS532 Cougars.

The agreement was signed at the Euronaval trade show by Vice-Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Head of the Netherlands Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) agency, and Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

The deal was widely expected after Gijs Tuinman, Netherlands State Secretary of Defence, wrote a letter to lawmakers in October to explain that a proposed procurement of 14 aircraft had been reduced to 12 because funding was “not sufficient” enough to absorb costs for aircraft modifications. The Netherlands has requested a tailored H225M configuration to support SOF requirements.

“Airbus Helicopters and the RNLAF [Royal Netherlands Air Force] will work closely together on the development of the H225M adapted to the requirements of the users, enhancing capabilities and efficiency for special operations missions success, through tactical communication and a unique design of interaction of the aircraft and its systems,” said the manufacturer in a statement.

In October, the Dutch Ministry of Defence also announced that a new unit, 300 Special Operations Squadron, based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base, southern Netherlands, had been formally stood up to support the future rotary fleet.

The Netherlands plans on issuing a number of other H225M-related contracts, including an agreement with Israel’s Elbit Systems for self-protection systems — equipment already installed on Dutch Gulfstream G650ER aircraft and due for integration on future C-390 tactical airlifters. Additionally, in line with the Dutch Armed Forces Foxtrot communications program and combat net radio requirement, Airbus will integrate L3 Harris radios on the rotary wing platforms.

At a design level, the H225M aircraft itself features “new avionics, an enhanced main gear box, airborne communication systems and can be equipped with the HForce weapon system,” according to Airbus company literature.

The Hague had previously put forward 2030 to 2032 as the period for deliveries of the new rotorcraft but that has shifted “partly due to the technical complexity” of integrating specialised mission equipment and “great pressure on the production lines of the Caracal helicopter due to international orders,” according to an online translation of Tuinman’s letter.

In response to the suggestion that the H225 production line is having problems keeping up with demand, an Airbus Helicopters spokesperson told Breaking Defense, “I would not say that we are struggling, but the fact is there will be a lot of helicopters to deliver in the coming years.”

He added: “The other factor to take into account is the fact that the NL [Netherlands] are asking for a new advanced configuration of the H225M matching their specific needs. We can’t go into specifics, but new development work will be needed. It’s always the case when a customer asks for new types of equipment.”

The spokesperson declined to share an updated delivery schedule. The Dutch Ministry of Defence declined to comment.

Outside of the Dutch deal, this year alone Airbus has secured new H225M orders from the German Federal Police (38 aircraft), Iraq Ministry of Defence (12 aircraft) and Japan Coast Guard (3 aircraft). Other defense customers include Brazil, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore and Thailand.

Breaking Defense reported exclusively last year that the United Arab Emirates had decided to cancel a $800 million H225M acquisition, citing high lifecycle costs and modular design limitations.

[백선호]

생긴 것은 쿠거에 뭔가 더 붙인 듯한 모양이네요.

[위종민]

쿠거보다 크기가 좀 더 커지고 엔진도 더 강해지긴 했네요. MTOW 기준으로 2.7톤 가량 더 무겁고 탑재량도 1.4톤 가량 더 실을 수 있는데 탑승인원은 비슷하고. ( https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/civil-helicopters/h225/h225-technical-information , https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/civil-helicopters/h215/h215-technical-information )

[withoutlove]

NH 90이 사실상 망작이라 대안으로 저걸 구입하는걸까요?

[위종민]

네덜란드는 해군에서 NH90을 굴리고 있는데, 결함을 해결했다는 소문이 있지만 키도 큰 네덜란드 군인들이 무거운 군장도 들고 타야 되는 특수전용 헬기로는 아니올시다라고 생각한 것 같습니다. 결함목록 보면 좌석 내구한도가 110kg이라 85kg 넘는 군인들은 표준군장 (독일군 기준 25kg)을 매지 못하고 바닥에 뒀다가 하기 전에 메야 한다고 하니.. 후방 경사로도 신속한 하기에 부적합하다고 하고, 높이 16CM 이상의 장애물이 있는 땅에도 못 내리고 도어거너 탑승 공간도 모자라고 윈치가 약해서 패스트로핑도 불가능하다 하니.. ( https://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/515G/3832 )