BUCHAREST / PARIS — The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MApN) has signed a procurement contract for 12 Airbus H225M Caracal multirole military helicopters to initiate the phased replacement of the Romanian Air Force’s aging IAR-330 Puma fleet.
Concluded in coordination with the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) under the European Commission’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, the estimated €757 million ($845 million) agreement leverages European Union funding to accelerate defense readiness and address critical capability gaps along NATO’s Eastern Flank. The new heavy-tactical rotorcraft will support conventional transport, combat search and rescue (CSAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and special operations forces (SOF) insertion missions.
This procurement marks Romania’s second major contract under the SAFE framework—following an earlier order for seven H160 and five H145 helicopters for public service operations—and complements a prior naval acquisition of two H215M anti-surface/anti-submarine warfare helicopters. 
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: AIRBUS H225M CARACAL
* Manufacturer: Airbus Helicopters
* Primary Operational Roles: Tactical Troop Transport, Special Operations, CSAR, MEDEVAC, Maritime Warfare
* Crew & Accommodation Architecture:
* Aircrew: 2 Pilots + Flight Engineer / Door Gunners
* Cabin Troop Capacity: Up to 28 fully equipped dismounts or 11 stretchers plus medical team
* Dimensions & Mass Distribution:
* Overall Length (Rotors Turning): 19.50 m
* Main Rotor Diameter: 16.20 m (5-blade Spheriflex rotor head)
* Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 11,000 kg (24,250 lbs) / 11,200 kg with external load
* Useful Payload: Up to 5,250 kg internal / 4,750 kg on external cargo sling
* Powerplant & Flight Performance:
* Engines: 2 × Safran Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines w/ dual-channel FADEC (1,566 kW / 2,100 shp per engine)
* Maximum Cruise Speed: 262 km/h (142 knots)
* Service Ceiling: 6,095 m (20,000 ft)
* Operational Range (Standard Tanks): ~835 km (450 nautical miles) / Expandable via auxiliary tanks & aerial refueling probe
* Avionics, Navigation & Survivability Suite:
* Avionics: Glass cockpit with 4-axis digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS)
* Defensive Aids Suite (DAS): Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), Laser Warning Receiver (LWR), and Chaff/Flare Countermeasure Dispensers
* Mission Systems: FLIR electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret, weather/search radar, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible flight decks
* Weaponry & Mission Payload Options:
* Pintle-Mounted Crew-Served Weapons: 2 × 7.62mm FN MAG or 2 × 13.4mm M3M heavy machine guns
* Standoff Pylon Systems: Podded 20mm autocannons, 68mm/70mm unguided/guided rocket pods, and anti-ship missile integration
