The Royal Moroccan Air Force ordered a fleet of H135 light twin-engine helicopters for the purpose of training its pilots. 

The contract, announced by Airbus on July 18, 2022, also includes the delivery of flight simulators and the training of instructor pilots. 

“We are proud that the Forces Royales Air [the Royal Moroccan Air Force - ed. note] have selected the H135 for their training missions. It is a reliable, cost-efficient multirole helicopter that is ideally suited to transitioning to more complex aircraft,” said Arnaud Montalvo, Head of Africa and Middle East at Airbus Helicopters, in a press release. “We are sure that the H135s will be a great asset to their fleet and we look forward to bringing them the best support in cooperation with our strategic partner Heliconia with its entry into service in the country.” 

Developed by Airbus Helicopters, the H135 (formerly known as the EC-135) is a multipurpose light twin-engine helicopter able to perform various missions ranging from reconnaissance and ground support, to search and rescue and training. With Morocco’s order, the helicopter is now flown by 12 military operators. 

The Royal Moroccan Air Force operates a diverse fleet of combat helicopters including 24 Boeing AH-64E Apache gunships.