France orders H225Ms and VSR700 prototype Spotlight France orders H225Ms and VSR700 prototype The Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed an order to purchase eight additional H225Ms and a second VSR700 prototype. The H225Ms will be operated by the French Air and Space Force. The VSR700 is an unmanned aerial system being developed for the French Navy in partnership with Naval Group. This order is part of a stimulus plan to support the national aeronautical industry announced by the French government in 2020. For Airbus Helicopters, the plan also includes an order for two H145s for the Sécurité Civile and 10 H160s for the French Gendarmerie Nationale. Singapore receives its first H225M helicopter The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has taken delivery of its first H225M helicopter in Singapore from a contract signed with Singapore’s Ministry of Defence in 2016. This delivery is exceptionally significant as Airbus and the RSAF overcame COVID-19 pandemic challenges in 2020 to achieve a smooth handover of the helicopter. Singapore’s fleet of H225Ms is expected to assume a wide range of roles, including search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. First five-bladed H145 retrofit Airbus Helicopters, in cooperation with DRF Luftrettung, has performed the first retrofit of a four-bladed H145 into the new five-bladed version. The helicopter, an H145 belonging to the German HEMS operator, was first delivered in 2018 and will be deployed at DRF’s base in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. The upgrade to the five-bladed version can be performed by any Part 145 maintenance organisation by following the associated service bulletin issued by Airbus Helicopters. It consists of exchanging the rotor system, updating the helicopter’s Helionix avionics suite and installing a new horizontal stabiliser. The innovative five-blade bearingless rotor increases the useful load and further enhances the mission capabilities of the aircraft, while eliminating rotor hub maintenance. Two more H160s for the French Navy The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has confirmed an option for two more H160s for the French Navy. These aircraft will join the fleet of four H160s already contracted in 2020, the first of which is currently being assembled by Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, in the south of France. The six H160s will be delivered in a search and rescue (SAR) configuration and will gradually start operating from May 2022 from Lanveoc-Poulmic naval air station (Brittany), Cherbourg airport (Normandy) and Hyères naval air station (Provence). Awaiting the H160M “Guépard” deliveries in the frame of the French Joint Light Helicopter programme, these H160s will take over the SAR missions currently conducted by NH90s and Panthers.