Dutch interest in Airbus H225M for special forces
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Dutch interest in Airbus H225M for special forces
Interesting document here states that the Dutch MoD interested in Airbus Helicopters H225M for their Helicopter Command , albeit more on the special forces support..
https://www.forcesoperations.com/les...t-sur-caracal/
cheers
https://www.forcesoperations.com/les...t-sur-caracal/
cheers
Dutch news outlet was reporting yesterday that 14 examples of the H225M have been ordered, with deliveries starting 2028 if I'm not mistaken. The article you linked to may well say the same... but my French is not good enough to be sure 
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Grabs popcorn waiting for MGD to tell us how awful AH are 
Interesting they have gone the 225 route and not the NH-90 (a spec ops version is coming) already in service in the Dutch mil, have the Dutch gone down the reliability route ie: the Puma family works rather than the problematic NH-90 family .(similar to Singapore and several other 225 operators). When I worked with the Dutch years ago like the RAF they wanted Black Hawks, to make the trilogy AH-64, UH-60 and CH-47, they said they bought the Cougar to satisfy EU content and the Cougar fleet was the cheapest of the 3 aircraft types.
Last edited by Blackhawk9; 11th Jun 2023 at 09:41.
MGD, I have a lot of hours on 225 and L2s. They are brilliant machines and very pilot-friendly. I find it intriguing that the two rotor detachments were on the North Sea and essentially the same operator, as were the gearbox problems. Was there something in the environment, usage or maintenance that was a factor? As for AH, I flew their ac for most of my 37 year career, had very few problems and was very happy to rely on them. Off topic but please stop knocking AH
And I believe the Belgians are looking to replace their not very old NH 90s on SAR with something from the Leonardo stable.....
Was there something in the environment, usage or maintenance that was a factor?
MGD, I have a lot of hours on 225 and L2s. They are brilliant machines and very pilot-friendly. I find it intriguing that the two rotor detachments were on the North Sea and essentially the same operator, as were the gearbox problems. Was there something in the environment, usage or maintenance that was a factor? As for AH, I flew their ac for most of my 37 year career, had very few problems and was very happy to rely on them. Off topic but please stop knocking AH
MGD, I have a lot of hours on 225 and L2s. They are brilliant machines and very pilot-friendly. I find it intriguing that the two rotor detachments were on the North Sea and essentially the same operator, as were the gearbox problems. Was there something in the environment, usage or maintenance that was a factor? As for AH, I flew their ac for most of my 37 year career, had very few problems and was very happy to rely on them. Off topic but please stop knocking AH
I find it intriguing that the two rotor detachments
As 212man points out, they were two separate operators, and as for both being in the NS, I'd suggest the bulk of hours were flown there so its a statistical thing. I will knock any OEM whom I feel put sales before safety, and I neither need, or seek, your approval. Apart from that, anything else you wish to add?
MGD, I do not regard rotor detachments as normal in any way; it is tantamount to a wing falling off a Jumbo. However, as far as I know it has only happened on the NS; that is what I find interesting.
Beyond that I am not going to comment further.
Beyond that I am not going to comment further.
However, what I do know is 13 people lost their lives at Turoy in an accident that should not have happened, and AH's behaviour following that incident was more focused on limiting the damage to future sales than establishing a root cause. Having thrown rather unsubstantiated blame at Heli-One, the focus was clearly on getting the type ungrounded and the sales to overseas customers back on track. That EASA played along with this is difficult to comprehend, and it is a credit to the Norwegian and UK CAA that they held firm.
Heli-One were not responsible for the cracks in the epicyclic gears, and are still, I believe, owed an apology (I am not a Heli-One engineer - for the avoidance of doubt).
That the North Sea operators and 'punters' lost confidence in the type is down to a range of factors - but AH were in control of many of them.
Beyond that I am not going to comment further.
Ref AH knocking - a lot of us witnessed the truckloads of BS delivered up at ABN and elsewhere trying to justify an early return to flying. It was arrogant at best and criminal at worst.
They wheeled in Academics - reminded me of the 'Hitler's Diaries' farce
They wheeled in Academics - reminded me of the 'Hitler's Diaries' farce
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