The Republic of Iraq's Minister of Defense, Mr Thabet Al-Abbasi, has taken delivery of the country's first two H225Ms CARACAL at Airbus Helicopters' facility in Marignane, France.

Iraq has ordered 12 H225Ms in September 2024 to replace their Mi-17s for a wider range of missions, including counter-terrorism, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack and ground fire support, operated by the Iraqi Army Aviation Command. Iraq already operates a fleet of Airbus helicopters from the H125, H135 and H145 families.

The H225M has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas. Benefiting from Airbus’ continuous improvement policy, the H225M CARACAL is now equipped with new avionics, an enhanced main gear box, airborne communication systems and can be equipped with the HForce weapon system. The maximum take-off weight has been increased by 160 kg to reach 11,160 kg.