# Airbus Helicopters cannot meet German H145M LKH timeline, Federal Audit Office finds

> Germany's Federal Audit Office found Airbus Helicopters cannot keep the H145M LKH timeline, putting the 82-helicopter order and NATO commitments at risk.

- Published: 2026-11-10T13:31:07+00:00
- Section: Contracts & Customers
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-10/airbus-helicopters-german-h145m-delay
- Source: [Janes.com](https://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/defence/airbus-helicopters-unable-to-keep-german-h145m-lkh-timeline-federal-audit-office-states)

## Key takeaways

- The Bundeswehr accepted the Federal Audit Office finding that Airbus Helicopters cannot keep the agreed H145M LKH timeline.
- Germany ordered 62 H145M LKH helicopters in December 2023, later raised to 82, with deliveries of the initial batch due by the end of 2028.
- The Bundeswehr said the manufacturer has so far provided only a preliminary configuration of the light attack helicopter.

Airbus Helicopters can no longer meet the previously agreed timeline for bringing the H145M Leichter Kampfhubschrauber (LKH) light attack helicopter into operational service for the German armed forces, according to [Janes](https://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/defence/airbus-helicopters-unable-to-keep-german-h145m-lkh-timeline-federal-audit-office-states). The [Bundeswehr](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006prz/bundeswehr) said on 4 November 2026 that it accepted the Federal Audit Office's findings that timelines agreed with industry cannot be kept.

## Bundeswehr Accepts Audit Office Findings on H145M LKH

The Bundeswehr said the delays are mainly due to insufficient performance by industry rather than planning deficiencies on its part. "So far, the manufacturer has only been able to provide a preliminary configuration of the light attack helicopter. Various technical challenges were cited as the reason," it said.

Germany ordered 62 H145M LKH helicopters in December 2023, later raised to 82, for the army (72) and Luftwaffe special operations forces (10). Deliveries of the initial 62 were due to be concluded by the end of 2028, while no completion date has been disclosed for the expanded order of 82.

The Bundeswehr said the delay could affect Germany's commitments to NATO. "According to the contract [with Airbus Helicopters], the new combat helicopters are to be delivered by 2029. Now […] due to planning deficiencies, it could take several years longer before the helicopters [are] fully operational," it said.

## Airbus Helicopters' Defense Rotorcraft Work

[Airbus Helicopters](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/02lsath/airbus-helicopters) is a France-headquartered division of Airbus SE that designs, manufactures and supports civil and military rotorcraft, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The company has delivered approximately 19,000 helicopters across roughly 150 countries and serves government, military, commercial and satellite services customers.

The same records list a partnership with Diehl Defence, MTU Aero Engines and SkyFall to advance integrated defense rotorcraft and propulsion systems. They also list a June 2026 strategic alliance with SkyFall to advance European and Ukrainian defence innovation.

## Earlier Airbus Helicopter Orders

In October 2026, Romania ordered 12 Airbus H225M multirole military helicopters, with the government signing a contract concluded with the French Armament General Directorate under the EU's Security Action for Europe, MarketScreener reported.

In September 2026, the French Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate ordered four U050 Capa-X drone systems from Airbus Helicopters, two for the Navy and two for the Army, with deliveries scheduled for 2027, Machine Maker reported.

In August 2026, the US Army awarded Airbus Helicopters a $115.4-million contract for up to 12 UH-72B Lakota helicopters, bringing the total cumulative value to $140.71 million, The Defense Post reported.

## Bundeswehr Drone Regiment Plans

The Bundeswehr plans to build its own drone regiment by 2027, including a counter-UAS unit, FinanzNachrichten.de reported on 4 November 2026.

## Companies in this story

- [Airbus Helicopters company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/02lsath/airbus-helicopters) · website: https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters
- [Bundeswehr company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006prz/bundeswehr) · website: https://www.bundeswehr.de

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