TSAMTO, March 31. On March 29, Airbus Helicopters announced the transfer of the first H-225M medium multirole helicopter to the Republic of Singapore Air Force under the 2016 contract.
The ordered H-225MS are designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including transporting troops and cargo, providing maritime security, conducting search and rescue operations, medical evacuation, supporting humanitarian operations and disaster relief operations.
Delivery of the first helicopter was originally scheduled for the end of 2020, but the timing was changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the Singapore Air Force has begun flight testing of the first H-225M before its commissioning. Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2025.
As reported by TSAMTO, in November 2016, Airbus Helicopters confirmed that it had signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense of Singapore for the supply of new H-225M medium transport helicopters. The number of helicopters ordered, their cost and delivery dates were not disclosed, but, according to media reports, from 12 to 16 H-225M were ordered. They will replace the outdated AS-332M "Super Puma" helicopters in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, which have been in operation since 1983.
The helicopters were selected based on a comprehensive evaluation procedure. In April 2015, the shortlist of finalists included Airbus Helicopters with the H-225M Super Puma and Leonardo-Finmeccanica with the AW-101.
In addition to the Ministry of Defense of Singapore, the H-225M helicopters were purchased by the Armed Forces of France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Kuwait. The total flight time of 104 H-225M helicopters exceeds 143 thousand hours.
The Ministry of Defense of Singapore, announcing in November 2016 the contract for the purchase of H-225M as part of the modernization program of the helicopter fleet, also announced the order of a batch of CH-47F "Chinook" helicopters to replace the outdated CH-47D, which have been in operation since 1994. Delivery of the new Chinooks is expected to begin in 2021.
On March 29, the Singapore Air Force announced on Facebook that the H-225M, which has a range of 20% longer than the AS-332M, will complement the CH-47 helicopters in a wide range of missions.
