Flight testing begins for the first H225Ms for Kuwait.

The first H225Ms to be delivered to Kuwait later this year have started flight testing.

The first H225Ms to be delivered to Kuwait (Picture source: Airbus)

Kuwait ordered 30 of the long-range multi-role H225Ms in August 2016. They will be operated by the Kuwait Air Force and the Kuwait National Guard.

There are currently 95 H225Ms in service across the world, having accumulated around 114,000 flight hours. As the latest member of Airbus’ military Super Puma/Cougar family, the 11-metric-tonne H225M has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas that include Lebanon, Afghanistan, Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Central African Republic, Somalia and Mali, while also supporting NATO-led operations in Libya.

The H225M is relied upon as a force multiplier by France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Singapore and Thailand.