# Morocco begin receiving H135M Helicopters

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/09/morocco-begin-receiving-h-135m-helicopters/
- Published: 2023-09-15T09:23:34+01:00
- Author: Darek Liam

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has taken delivery of the first two of its 12
H135M helicopters ordered from Airbus Helicopters. The helicopters arrived in Meknes,
Morocco on September 7, 2023, after a brief stopover in Almeria, Spain, and Tangier.

The H135Ms will replace the RMAF Helicopter Flight School’s AgustaBell AB206A and
AB206B rotorcraft in use at 1 Air Base at Rabat/Salé. The new helicopters will be
used to train pilots for a wide array of missions, including utility and search 
and rescue operations.

Under the contract with Airbus, which was [announced](https://www.military.africa/2022/07/morocco-orders-h135-helicopters-from-airbus%ef%bf%bc/)
in July 2022, Morocco will receive a comprehensive support package, including the
delivery of Flight Training Devices and the training of instructor pilots and maintenance
pilots. The training programme will enable Morocco to take full advantage of the
H135’s multi mission capabilities such as NVG and winching, Airbus Helicopters said.

Morocco already flies Airbus Helicopters, in January 2020 the country’s [Gendarmerie took delivery of two H125 helicopters](https://www.military.africa/2020/07/moroccan-gendarmerie-adds-two-h125-helicopters-to-its-fleet/),
joining its fleet of nearly three dozen aircraft.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The H135M is a twin-engine light utility helicopter that is known for its endurance,
compactness, low noise emissions, reliability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.
It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,980 kg, a maximum payload of 1,360 kg, a top
speed of 259 km/h, a range of 633 km with standard fuel and at normal MTOW, and 
an endurance of 3 hours and 35 minutes.

The acquisition of the H135Ms is part of Morocco’s efforts to modernize its military
helicopter fleet. The country is also set to receive [24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing](https://www.military.africa/2019/11/morocco-all-set-to-buy-36-boeing-ah-64e-apache-attack-helicopter/)
in 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT

The acquisition of new helicopters and Morocco’s ongoing commitment to enhancing
its aviation capabilities reflect the nation’s dedication to bolstering its defence
infrastructure and maintaining a modern and versatile military force.

The delivery of the H135Ms to the RMAF is a significant development for Morocco’s
military training capabilities. The new helicopters will provide pilots with the
opportunity to train on a modern and capable platform, which will help to prepare
them for the challenges of real-world operations.

With Morocco’s recent acquisition, the H135 helicopter, previously known as the 
EC135, is now operated by 12 military entities worldwide. These helicopters have
collectively accumulated over 400 000 military flight training hours (Some 1 400
H135 helicopters are operated by more than 300 commercial and private operators 
in 65 countries. The fleet has accumulated more than 6.5 million flight hours.)

### _Related_