A helicopter that can carry 28 soldiers, fly more than 2,300 km, and evacuate wounded people will soon join Morocco’s air force. France has confirmed that Morocco ordered 10 H225M Caracal helicopters from Airbus Helicopters.
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces listed the deal in its 2026 report to parliament on arms exports. The contract took effect in 2025.
The report does not give the price of the 10 helicopters.
French defence orders from Morocco reached €532.1m in 2025, compared with €13.1m in 2024. The figure includes all defence orders placed that year and does not represent the price of the Caracal deal.
The French report also records €83.3m in defence deliveries to Morocco in 2025 and 42 approved export licences.
The Caracal is a large military transport helicopter designed for missions where troops or rescue teams need to move quickly over long distances.
It can carry up to 28 fully equipped soldiers. A medical version can carry 11 stretchers.
The helicopter can travel up to about 2,300km with extra fuel tanks. Its maximum take-off weight is about 11 tonnes, and it can carry up to 4.75 tonnes as an external load.
Its equipment allows crews to fly during the day or at night and in poor weather. The helicopter has cameras and sensors to help crews see and operate at low altitude.
The Caracal also has systems that can warn crews about radar, lasers and incoming missiles.
Some versions can carry guns and rockets. The helicopter can also use an air-to-air refuelling system, which allows it to take fuel from another aircraft while flying.
These features make the aircraft useful for troop transport, special operations, medical evacuation and combat search and rescue.
The new helicopters will also help Morocco replace older Puma helicopters.
Morocco had been looking at the Caracal for several years as part of an effort to update its helicopter fleet.
Negotiations became more serious before French President Emmanuel Macron visited Rabat in October 2024.
Initial plans involved as many as 18 helicopters. The possible deal was valued at between €600m and €800m.
No agreement was announced during Macron’s visit. Talks continued over the number of helicopters, their equipment and the price.
Airbus Helicopters finalised the contract for 10 H225M helicopters on 18 November 2025.
The new French report now provides official confirmation of the deal.
The helicopter order comes as France and Morocco have been rebuilding their defence relationship.
France backed Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2024. Macron then visited Rabat in October that year, helping restore high-level political and military contacts.
The two countries created a joint arms committee in July 2024. The committee aims to increase defence industry and technical co-operation.
The two sides are also discussing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul centre in Morocco. The centre could maintain the new helicopters locally and potentially provide services to other countries in West Africa.
Military co-operation now covers joint exercises, special operations, counter-terrorism, military medicine, logistics and maritime security.
The Caracal order is part of this wider defence relationship between the two countries.
