Two Airbus H225M multi-role helicopters from the Hungarian Air Force’s 86th Helicopter Brigade have been deployed from Szolnok to Albania to support large-scale firefighting operations in Llogara National Park, located in the southern Vlora region. The deployment follows an official request for assistance by Albanian authorities through the European Union’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). Operating from Kucove Air Base, the H225Ms are fitted with Bambi Bucket systems and supported by dedicated ground crews to conduct sustained aerial water drops. The mission aims to contain and extinguish widespread wildfires threatening the park’s mountainous terrain.
Hungary’s H225Ms feature advanced communications systems, enabling seamless coordination with Albanian emergency services during complex multi-agency operations. Designed for versatility, the platform is capable of transport, combat search and rescue (CSAR), special operations, and humanitarian assistance missions. Its modern avionics suite, four-axis autopilot, extended range, and high payload capacity make it an ideal asset for sustained firefighting over challenging terrain. The helicopter’s large cabin accommodates both personnel and equipment, enhancing its disaster relief capability. Its all-weather operational profile, coupled with night vision goggle (NVG) compatibility, ensures mission effectiveness in day or night operations under adverse conditions.
The latest deployment comes shortly after the delivery of the final two H225Ms to the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, completing its 16-aircraft order. All aircraft are equipped with the HForce weapon management system, offering the flexibility to conduct both armed and unarmed missions. The procurement package also includes comprehensive training and support to maintain high operational readiness levels. The Airbus H225M, a member of the Super Puma family, has logged over 100,000 flight hours since its first delivery to the French Air Force in 2006. The 11-metric-tonne platform has demonstrated exceptional reliability in combat zones and crisis response operations worldwide.
The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, now called Airbus Helicopters H225M, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed from the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar for military use. Currently, the H225M is in service with air forces in France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, and has been recently ordered by Kuwait and Singapore. Hungary became the ninth country to procure the type, underscoring its growing role in global military and humanitarian missions. By 2015, the EC725, re-designated as the H225M, was being manufactured on two separate production lines in France and Brazil. In July 2015, Airbus Helicopters announced that it was considering setting up a third assembly line in India if the firm was successful at winning an Indian tender for naval helicopters.
