Royal Thai Air Force Expands Fleet with Two Airbus H225 Helicopters

BANGKOK, Sept 26 — The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the delivery of two H225 multi-role helicopters to bolster its search and rescue (SAR) and emergency medical service (EMS) capabilities.

The new aircraft will join the RTAF’s existing fleet of H225Ms, which have been in service since 2015, performing combat search and rescue, troop transport, and humanitarian missions. Completion work for the helicopters will be carried out by Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) under its partnership with Airbus.

Royal Thai Air Force

Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul said the H225M has been an “indispensable asset” over the past decade, and the new additions will further strengthen Thailand’s ability to respond to emergencies nationwide.

Airbus executive Olivier Michalon welcomed the order, calling it a reflection of the RTAF’s continued trust in the H225’s performance and versatility.

An MRTT+

The airforce have also ordered an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Plus (MRTT+). The A330neo-based evolution of the combat-proven, aerial refuelling and transport aircraft A330 MRTT, will be equipped with both the hose-and-drogue, and a boom, as refuelling systems. Also included is the Airbus Medical Evacuation kit solution and will come in a VVIP cabin configuration. 

The aircraft is scheduled to enter into military conversion at the A330 MRTT Centre in Getafe, Spain, in 2026, with final delivery to customer in 2029. 

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