Netherlands to buy 14 Caracal long-range tactical transport helicopters for special operations

New helicopters to replace current fleet of 12 AS532U2 Cougars, says Defense Ministry

By Selman Aksunger

AMSTERDAM (AA) - The Netherlands announced on Monday that it will buy 14 new military helicopters "to form special forces within the Air Force."

In a statement, the Dutch Defense Ministry said the Airbus H225M Caracal long-range tactical transport helicopters will replace the current fleet of 12 AS532U2 Cougars.

Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028, it added.

The ministry also noted that the new Caracal helicopters will be deployed to Gilze-Rijen Air Base in the southern Netherlands with the aim of launching special forces within the country's Air Force.

Meanwhile, the Dutch daily De Telegraf reported that the forming of special forces within the Air Force, similar to the Dutch land and naval forces, was advised by NATO.

The Airbus H225M is used by several countries including Indonesia, France, Kuwait, Malaysia and Brazil.

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