Unveiling the Airbus H145M: Germany’s Next-Gen Versatile Helicopter!

Unveiling the Airbus H145M: Germany’s Next-Gen Versatile Helicopter! - On December 14, 2023, the German Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters made history by signing a landmark contract for 82 multi-role H145M helicopters, with 62 confirmed and an option for 20 more. Of these, 57 will be delivered to the German Army and 5 to the Luftwaffe's special forces, with Airbus committed to providing support for the next seven years. This deal highlights Airbus's dedication to innovation and international collaboration, positioning the H145M as a key player in military operations, from transport to search and rescue. With the retirement of the Tiger helicopter on the horizon, many are wondering—can the H145M fill its shoes? Let's dive into what makes this advanced helicopter so special.

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[Tam]

The Tiger is an attack chopper, the H145M is not. I'd say it's an economic decision/settlement more that a replacement.

[JTFrezzz]

It is more of a late successor to the Bo 105 than to the Tiger. The question is whether the concept of a heavy attack helicopter still makes sense in today's world. The Ukraine war shows quite well that these can also be easily shot down. The H145M is cost-efficient and has good operational readiness. Its modular capabilities make it possible to respond quickly to mission requirements. Which makes it the more sensible solution overall. The German version of the Tiger has always been a flawed one due to its design as a tank destroyer without a nose cannon.

[bjoernphotography]

Maybe there is no need or place for manned Attack Helicopters in nearer future because of attack drones...

[derkernspalter]

It's funny that the successor of the BO-105P (PAH-1) will now become the successor of the Tiger (PAH-2). Back to the roots.

[simonemingozzi]

there are no comments, we go back. From a true multi-role attack helicopter like the Tiger to one that looks like an improved version of the Huey gunships of the 1960s

[michaelneuwirth]

It was a sensible and very economical decision to purchase this tried-and-tested helicopter instead of a US helicopter or even a new combat helicopter of our own. The concept of the ‘combat helicopter’ has recently suffered noticeably in the Ukraine war, as helicopters are easy to locate and combat. As a liaison and light transport helicopter on its own territory, a helicopter naturally remains indispensable.

[Seth]

It's not supposed to "replace" the Tiger, though...
The Tiger is out for a number of reasons, that's a given. The H145M is just here to fill a capability gap until a more suitable replacement is found.
However, seeing how drones are developing, I kinda doubt there will be any real need (and therefore effort) to find a proper replacement any time soon...

[bPiZAn]

Unveiling? This thing has been in service for years

[allesiofondressi]

News flash, you don't need attack helicopters anymore.

[sebbosebbo]

Absolute the best decision so the BW will become a useful multipurpose system at first, & not a fancy one situation nonsens again that doesnt fit the soldiers & BW needs..
Its a absolute masterpiece of technoligical capabilitys and it can bring back a workhorse that push up the important flyhours back to normal so that in different situations the BW can become a sustainable self sufficient multiroll unit...
P.s. i. the past the BW doesnt had a reliable rescue system for wounded soldier... that was a shame that only the US Blackhawk pilots fixed multible times under live threaten conditions..
Ppl. have to understand this that this system is absolut crucial to bring back the BW on its own feed..

[svens.]

At first I was really skeptical about this helicopter, but now I like it more and

[daniel]

As far as I know, the H-145 is not a replacement but a supplement for light attack and reconnaissance tasks

[Fierce]

H145M Have more modern feature than the Eurocopter Tiger, But, The amount of armaments it can carry is less than the Eurocopter Tiger, From what I see from the video, it can only carry 2 ATGM, 2 rockets rocket launchers and 2 additional Gun. For the armor, Eurocopter Tiger is better.

Overall The H145M is probably one of the most advance versatile helicopter, But because it is a versatile helicopter, I could undestand why it has less firepower and armor than the Eurocopter Tiger.

[RalfJosefFries]

This is an airbus eurocopter advertisement video - nothing else. The german Luftwaffe was so frustrated with the performance and the maintainability of the "Tiger" that they simply refused to start any modernisation- or mid-life-improvement-programm for this helicopter. And so the Luftwaffe searched a replacement for the "Tiger". What they wanted was something like the "AH 64 D Longbow-Apache" or even better, but the german government made it clear that any new helicopter HAD TO BE an airbus-eurocopter model. And the H145M was in use as a liaison and transport helicopter in german military and police units - so airbus-eurocopter "bolted" some more arms to this helicopter and PRESTO - Luftwaffe had to swallow it as the "ideal" "Tiger-replacement"... - to make things even better for the Luftwaffe, the german government ordered not the 150 + helicopters that the Luftwaffe had determined as their "minimum requirement" to fulfill all of its duties, but only 62 with an option of further 20... But to make things even better, the german government was willing to pay eurocopter for the now 62 + 20 ordered H145M the same amount of money that the originally planned 150 + costed in airbus-eurocopters first offer... Stupid german money at it´s best. The H145M is a stopgap-solution, nothing more. It cant do the jobs it is intended to do, and there will be too few of them to fullfill the operational requirements that the german government and the german military assured NATO to fullfill. The only people happy about the H145M are the people at airbus-eurocopter. Germany again gifted via it´s military the european aircraft industry (nearly completly situated in France!) a lot of money to receive not-suitable choppers in much to few quantities (and secured with this order with a lot of german money a lot of french jobs in France).

[Monkey-udbw]

Don’t know about it replacing the Tiger, two very different machines. If they want a AH then the Apache or Viper would be a better option.
The RAF and British Army are purchasing six for use in Cyprus and Brunei.

[paulsteaven]

Replacing their dedicated attack helicopters with light attack helicopters:

Bundeswehr 🤝🏻 Royal Thai Army

[MrCemicalX]

If we look at how helicopters are used in Ukraine where they offer support over long distances you do not really need a Tiger or Apache for those engagements. Seeing as the H145M will be equipped with long range Weaponry and new laser guided rockets there is no way these will be used for close range engagements. More like supporting the front line from behind and then use their mobility to resupply quickly. They should also be able to fly low to avoide radar to an extent and maintenance and spare parts should be easier as well. With those aspects in mind it makes kinda sense to order these in higher numbers with long range systems rather than waiting for the next gen helicopters to be developed.

[serdradion]

It should be redesigned to a new form, like MI8 to MI24, like the development of AH1 Cobra.
New Agusta Westland attack heli leads the way.

[NotUnymous]

Dunno anything about helicopters and am no military man but it sound well thought through to buy a modular multirole helicopter.

[china_airguns]

The German army had huge success with the Boeing 105 helicopter even though it wasn't actually a specially developed combat helicopter. Special tank destroyer tactics were developed with the Bo 105 and these were very successful. I can imagine that this helicopter, together with new tactics, will also be very successful even if it doesn't come close to the capabilities of the Tiger. You can also talk about quantity rather than quality here - for the money of one Tiger you can almost buy two H145Ms. The H145M also has some major advantages over the Tiger that the Tiger couldn't offer, such as troop transport and medical transport.
But apart from that, it is stupid to make comparisons here anyway, since the Tiger is a pure attack, i.e. combat helicopter, and the H145M is a multi-role helicopter which originally came from the civil, not specifically military, sector.