Airbus Helicopters was set to showcase the H225M Caracal helicopter at the MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland the week following it landed Sept. 1 following a ferry flight from France, the company said Sept. 2.
The H225M Caracal is able to perform a wide range of missions including special operations, combat search and rescue (CSR), tactical transport, medical evacuation, and a spectrum of maritime missions. It was pre-selected by Poland’s government in 2015 and is currently operated by forces of France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, and Thailand. Most recently, Kuwait ordered 30 Caracal in August, Airbus said.
The Caracel was originally developed by Eurocopter, now Airbus Helicopters, and was originally designated the EC725. It is the latest member of the company’s Super Puma/Cougar family of helicopters.
The company highlighted its presence at the exhibition is in line with its “Make in Poland” ambition and that it will aim to emphasize its global commitment of long-term cooperation in the country.
In addition to the H225M, Airbus will also place a Tiger HAD helicopter in its upcoming Kruk acquisition project frame, and a real H145M Helicopter from the German armed forces on the company static display.
The Tiger is designed for armed reconnaissance, air or ground escort, air-to-air combat, ground firing support, destruction, and anti-tank warfare in various conditions. It has been used in deployments to Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Libya, and Mali. The K145M was certified in 2015 and is the latest member of Airbus’ 4-ton-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range.
The company also said other space and defense products would be displayed at its MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition stand. This includes the A330 MRTT tanker/transport aircraft, a model of the Europfighter Typhoon combat aircraft, the Orlik Multi-purpose Trainer (MPT) aircraft built and maintained in Poland, and the Astrobus S Earth observation satellite.
Airbus has over 900 direct jobs located in Poland and is aiming to create 6,000 direct and indirect jobs in the country over the new few years as part of multiple cooperation projects, the company said.