Morocco’s Royal Gendarmerie has quietly expanded its aerial capabilities with the addition of two H145 helicopters, reinforcing its capacity for rapid response and tactical support across the country’s diverse and often challenging terrain.
The two helicopters—registered CN-BYC and CN-BYD—arrived at the Salé airbase after completing a technical stopover journey from Spain.
Originally operated by a Swiss company specialising in air medical services, both units have been fully refurbished and repainted in the distinctive red and white colours of the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie.
This acquisition reflects a deliberate and cost-conscious approach to modernising the force’s aerial fleet. By opting for high-performance pre-owned aircraft, Morocco demonstrates a strategy that balances operational readiness with financial prudence.
It is a model already adopted by other nations looking to maintain cutting-edge equipment without overextending defence budgets.
The H145, produced by Airbus Helicopters, is the advanced successor to the EC145. Weighing in at four tonnes, it is equipped with engines offering 25% more power than its predecessor.
Its most distinctive feature—the fenestron, a shrouded tail rotor—ensures quieter and safer flight performance.
This makes the aircraft exceptionally well-suited for missions ranging from personnel transport and medical evacuation to surveillance and reconnaissance.
With this latest addition, the Royal Gendarmerie now operates a fleet of 13 H145 helicopters.
The move is emblematic of Morocco’s targeted and unified procurement strategy—standardising its fleet to streamline maintenance and simplify crew training.
Far from a symbolic gesture, the expansion bolsters the gendarmerie’s ability to respond swiftly in remote or high-risk areas, particularly in a country marked by vast deserts, mountainous regions, and diverse weather conditions.
As rapid response becomes increasingly vital to internal security, these helicopters offer a critical advantage—bringing the reach and agility of an “army in the air” to the frontlines of Morocco’s national defence.
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