The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has initiated a major overhaul of its air mobility and search and rescue (SAR) capabilities, confirming a substantial order for Airbus H225M Caracal helicopters and a long-term sustainment program for its C-130 Hercules fleet. Announced during the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, the acquisition of 10 H225M heavy-twin helicopters marks a pivotal shift in the Kingdom’s rotorcraft operations, moving away from legacy platforms toward modern, digitally integrated systems.
This modernization drive, which also encompasses a new support contract with L3Harris for the fixed-wing transport fleet, demonstrates Rabat’s intent to maintain a versatile, expeditionary force capable of operating across the diverse topography of North Africa.
The H225M Caracal Acquisition
The cornerstone of this recent expansion is the contract for 10 Airbus H225M Caracals. These 11-metric-tonne helicopters are slated to replace the RMAF’s aging Aérospatiale SA330 Pumas, a fleet that has served as the backbone of Moroccan utility and transport operations for over 40 years.
The H225M, often referred to as the “Super Cougar,” represents the latest evolution of the military Super Puma family. While the contract value remains undisclosed, the deal includes a comprehensive services and support package, ensuring high availability rates as the airframes enter service.
“We are honoured that Morocco has chosen to replace its legacy Puma fleet with the H225M,” said Bruno Even, Chief Executive of Airbus Helicopters. “This is another step in the partnership we have been building over the decades with the Kingdom of Morocco.”
For the RMAF, the selection of the H225M is driven by the specific demands of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). Unlike standard utility transport, CSAR requires a platform capable of withstanding hostile environments while delivering the range and power to extract personnel from deep within remote areas.
The Moroccan H225Ms will feature a specialized configuration tailored for high-intensity SAR missions. Key to this capability is the integration of the Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical (EO) system. The Euroflir 410 is a multispectral surveillance system that operates across varying wavebands—TV, Near-Infrared (NIR), Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR), and Medium-Wave Infrared (MWIR). This allows the crew to detect targets or survivors at long standoff ranges, day or night, and through degraded visual environments such as smoke or dust.
To support the physical extraction of personnel, the airframes will be equipped with a double hoist installation and a high-intensity searchlight. Survivability is addressed through the inclusion of door guns and a modern electronic warfare (EW) system, likely comprising radar warning receivers and missile approach warning systems to protect the aircraft in contested airspace.
Performance-wise, the H225M is powered by two Safran Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines. These engines, controlled by a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, provide the necessary power margin for operations in “hot and high” conditions—a critical requirement given Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and desert regions. The aircraft features a five-blade main rotor which reduces vibration levels, a factor that reduces crew fatigue during long sorties and provides a stable platform for firing door guns or operating the hoist.
With a maximum range of approximately 700 nautical miles (without aerial refueling) and the capacity to carry up to 28 troops, the H225M offers a substantial leap in logistical reach compared to the legacy Puma fleet.
Morocco signed an agreement with France in 1974 to purchase 40 Puma helicopters and in 2007 the remaining fleet underwent modernization work. Airbus maintains a presence in Morocco since 1951 through Airbus Atlantic, a wholly-owned Airbus subsidiary specializing in composite manufacturing, the assembly of complex metallic sub-assemblies, and the maintenance and support of avionics equipment.
Sustainment of the C-130 Hercules Fleet
Parallel to the rotorcraft acquisition, the RMAF has moved to secure the operational future of its tactical fixed-wing fleet. In July 2025, the Air Force awarded a contract to U.S. defense firm L3Harris Technologies to provide extensive support for its Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The agreement, which runs through 2029, covers avionics modifications, Program Depot Maintenance (PDM), and engine overhauls. The work will be conducted at the L3Harris facility in Waco, Texas. This contract is vital for the RMAF, which relies heavily on the C-130 for tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance, and support for special operations.
According to aviation analytics company Cirium, Morocco actively operates 14 H-model Hercules airlifters and two KC-130H tankers. The H-model, while a robust workhorse, requires consistent depot-level care to manage airframe fatigue and avionics obsolescence. The “avionics modification” component of the L3Harris deal suggests a potential cockpit modernization, likely replacing older analog gauges with digital displays to improve situational awareness and compliance with modern air traffic management standards.
“The upgraded fleet will improve the RMAF’s aircraft availability for a variety of missions, including tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance and special operations,” L3Harris stated regarding the partnership.
This sustainment effort ensures that the C-130s can continue to operate alongside the newer C-27J Spartans and the incoming H225M helicopters, maintaining a tiered logistics capability that bridges the gap between heavy strategic lift and tactical battlefield delivery.
Building the Training Pipeline: The H135M
The introduction of the complex H225M system follows a deliberate modernization of the RMAF’s pilot training pipeline. In 2022, Morocco ordered a fleet of H135 light twin-engine helicopters to replace the AgustaBell AB206A/B JetRangers used at the 1st Air Base in Rabat-Salé. In September 2023, the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) took delivery of the first two of its 12 H135M helicopters ordered from Airbus Helicopters.
Deliveries of these training aircraft began in September 2023, with the first two units arriving in Meknes after transiting through Spain. The H135 serves as an essential bridge for student pilots. It features the Helionix avionics suite—a glass cockpit concept similar to what pilots will encounter in the H225M. By training on the H135, RMAF pilots gain proficiency with 4-axis autopilots, digital flight management systems, and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations before transitioning to the heavier, more expensive operational airframes.
The 2022 contract included the delivery of Flight Training Devices (simulators) and the training of instructor pilots, ensuring that the RMAF can generate qualified aircrews independently. This “train as you fight” approach reduces the conversion time required for pilots moving to the frontline squadrons.
The dual investment in the H225M and C-130 fleets reflects a broader strategy to professionalize and autonomously sustain Moroccan military power. The decision to procure the H225M also solidifies the position of Airbus Helicopters as a primary supplier to the Kingdom; the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie already operates nearly three dozen Airbus rotorcraft, including the H125 and larger Super Pumas.
By standardizing on Airbus platforms for rotary-wing operations and leveraging U.S. industry support for fixed-wing sustainment, Morocco balances its defense relationships while ensuring interoperability with NATO partners. The capabilities introduced—specifically long-range night/all-weather CSAR and reliable tactical airlift—provide the Royal Moroccan Air Force with the tools necessary to project power and protect sovereignty across its expansive maritime and terrestrial borders.
These acquisitions ensure that as the geopolitical dynamics of North Africa evolve, the RMAF possesses a modernized, responsive fleet capable of addressing both security threats and humanitarian requirements well into the 2040s.