Eurocopter EC725 Caracal
| French Air Force Eurocopter EC725 Caracal in 2017. | |
| Role | Transport Helicopter |
| National origin | France & Germany |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter. |
| First flight | 2000 |
| Introduction | 2006 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | French Air Force |
| Unit cost | 24.5 millions $[1] |
The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal is a French and German military helicopter. It is built by Eurocopter. It is the last model of the Super Pumas series. This helicopter shares part of its avionics with EC225 Super Puma Mk-2.[2]
Equipment & weapons
All Eurocopter EC725 Caracal had got a Forward Looking Infra-Red (or FLIR) at the forward fuselage. It is like a ball. Some helicopters, like French ones, can be refueled in flight. Most have a gundoor, generally one or two 7.62mm– or 12.7mm–calibre machine gun.
Users
In 2013, the countries that use this helicopter are Brazil, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand.
In France Eurocopter EC725 Caracal is mainly used to transport special forces,[3] like in Brazil. It was used in the Afghanistan War[4] and in Mali[5] by the French. Some of their helicopters were used in January 2013 for an operation of the French special forces and DGSE's agents in Somalia.[6]
Eurocopter EC725 Caracal Media
The EC725 Caracal at RIAT 2009
An FN MAG mounted on an EC725
EC725 of the Brazilian Navy aboard helicopter carrier Atlântico, 2021
EC725 of the Brazilian Navy firing a Exocet missile, 2021
EC725 in flight at a steep angle, France, 2013
A EC725 of the Brazilian Navy
H225M of the Hungarian Air Force
A EC725 of the Indonesian Air Force
Kuwait Air Force H225M at Dubai Airshow 2021
Members of the Tanzanian 93rd Special Forces Battalion rappel during a Joint Combined Exchange Training with 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Tanga, Tanzania, Aug 27, 2025. This JCET bolstered the operational readiness and capabilities of both forces, fostering independence and strengthening their partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber Litteral)
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References
- ↑ You are being redirected.... www.aircraftcompare.com. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
- ↑ Cougar helicopter, military helicopter, EC725 helicopter's mission - Eurocopter, an EADS company. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
- ↑ Pocock, Chris. French Squadron Uses EC725 Helicopters to “Fight and Rescue”. Aviation International News.
- ↑ H225M Cougar Medium Multimission Helicopter.
- ↑ (in French)http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2013/01/actu/defense-la-france-sengage-au-mali/
- ↑ (in French)http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2013/01/actu/operations-les-helicos-francais-a-lassaut-de-la-somalie/
Bibliography
- Jackson, Robert. Helicopters: Military, Civilian and Rescue Rotorcraft (2005). ISBN 978-1-84013-812-2.
- Frawley, Gerard. International Directory of Military Aircraft 2002/03 (2002)Motorbooks International. ISBN 978-1-875671-55-7.
