Airbus H125
Platform and Strategic Significance
The Airbus H125 is a single-engine light utility helicopter belonging to the Écureuil ("Squirrel") family, manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. It is the world's bestselling single-engine helicopter with over 5,000 units delivered globally and 40+ million flight hours accumulated. Its defining capability is extreme high-altitude performance: the H125 holds the record for the highest altitude helicopter landing in history, having touched down on the summit of Mount Everest (8,849 m / 29,032 ft) in May 2005 — a feat enabled by its Safran Arriel 2D turboshaft engine optimised for "hot and high" environments.
- Type: Single-engine light utility helicopter; Airbus Écureuil family
- Engine: Safran Arriel 2D turboshaft
- Max altitude capability: Demonstrated at 8,849 m (Everest summit)
- Range: ~600 km; max speed: ~287 km/h
- Primary roles: High-altitude logistics, VIP transport, law enforcement, aerial work
- India relevance: High-altitude Himalayan operations (Siachen, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh); NDRF disaster response
- First India-assembled delivery: Expected early 2027; production to scale from 10/year initially
● Tracked since February 17, 2026 · last seen February 17, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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