In aviation, helicopters are the most expensive because of their versatility, efficiency, and ability to access remote locations. However, this technology comes with a hefty price tag. The most expensive helicopters in the world are technological marvels that offer unparalleled efficiency and luxury, and they are used in everything from hard military and rescue missions to lavish VIP transportation. This article will explore the most expensive helicopters in the world, highlighting both their unique features and the high price tags attached to them.
List of 10 Most Expensive Private Helicopter in the World
- Airbus H225 Super Puma ($27 Million)
- Sikorsky S-92 ($17.7 Million)
- Airbus AS332 L1e VIP Super Puma ($15.5 Million)
- Bell 525 Relentless ($15 million)
- Augusta Westland AW109 ($6.3 Million)
- Eurocopter EC175
- Bell 412EP
- Airbus H145
- AgustaWestland AW169
- Airbus H160
1. Airbus H225 Super Puma ($27 Million)
The Airbus H225 Super Puma is a long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter. It is famous because of its performance, efficiency, and safety. It has a price tag of approximately $27 million.
Range: 857 km
Cruise speed: 275.5 km/h
Why it is the most expensive?
It is the twin-engined, long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter. It is the next generation of the civilian Super Puma family.
This helicopter has a spacious cabin to carry up to 24 passengers with two crew and a cabin attendant. It has advanced avionics with a powerful twin-engine system. This helicopter is used in offshore oil and gas operations, search and rescue missions, and VIP transport because of its reliability and versatility.
The helicopter was originally named the Eurocopter EC725; but in 2015, it was changed to the H225, in line with Eurocopter’s corporate rebranding as Airbus Helicopters.
2. Sikorsky S-92 ($17.7 Million)
The Sikorsky S-92 is a twin-engine, medium-lift helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for different missions like search and rescue, VIP transport, and offshore oil and gas transport.
Range: 832 km
Cruise speed: 287 km/h
Why it is the most expensive?
It is the most expensive because of its safety features with a spacious cabin that can carry up to 19 passengers. It has the S-92 boasts an advanced flying control system, noise reduction technology, and a robust airframe, making it the best choice for government and civilian use.
The Sikorsky S-92 is priced at around $17 million.
3. Airbus AS332 L1e VIP Super Puma ($15.5 Million)
Airbus AS332 L1e VIP Super Puma was developed and marketed by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters)
Range: 841 km
Cruise speed: 252 km/h
Why it is the most Expensive?
Airbus AS332 L1e VIP Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter that is 4th most expensive helicopter in the world. It is an enlarged and re-engined performance of the original Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. This 12-passenger Rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters with 479 cu ft cabin volume. It has a range of 251-500 nm. Its performance range is 406 nm and the maximum cruise speed is 141 oktas. The present price of Airbus AS332 L1e VIP Super Puma is $22M.
4. Bell 525 Relentless ($15 million)
Bell 525 is an American helicopter manufactured by the company Bell Helicopters. This Helicopter is a medium-sized helicopter.
Range: 926 km
Cruise speed: 287 km/h
Why it is the most expensive helicopter in the world?
Airbus AS332 L1e VIP Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter that is 4th most expensive helicopter in the world. It is an enlarged and re-engined performance of the original Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. This 12-passenger Rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters with 479 cu ft cabin volume. It has a range of 251-500 nm. Its performance range is 406 nm and the maximum cruise speed is 141 oktas. The present price of Airbus AS332 L1e VIP Super Puma is $22M.
5. Augusta Westland AW109 ($6.3 Million)
The AgustaWestland AW109 is a twin-engine, lightweight helicopter. It is manufactured by a partnership of an Italian and a British company. The production was started in 1971 and then presented to the market in 1976.
Range: 932 km
Cruise speed: 285 km/h
Why it is the most expensive?
The AW109 can get the highest speed of 285 km/H and travel as far as 932 km. This helicopter is used for military services in the world. The primary users of this helicopter are the Italian army, South Africa Air Force, Swiss Air Rescue, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and many more. The AW109 price is 6.3 Million US Dollars.
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6. Eurocopter EC175
The Eurocopter EC175 is the Airbus H175 and is priced at around $10 million. This is a 7-ton class super-medium utility helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters and designed for offshore oil and gas transport, search and rescue missions, and VIP transport. This helicopter has a spacious cabin for up to 18 passengers with advanced avionics, and powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67E engines that helps in a smooth and efficient flight.
Range: 1,259 km (782 mi, 680 nmi)
Cruise speed: 300 km/h (190 mph, 160 km)
Why Eurocopter EC175 is the most expensive?
Eurocopter EC175 Airbus Helicopters is made with the H175’s main gearbox, tail rotor, avionics, autopilot, hydraulic and electrical systems, doors, with transparencies. The H175 is powered by two 1,325 kW (1,775 hp) class, FADEC-equipped Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E turboshaft engines, providing a 5,000-hour TBO and on-condition maintenance.
Chinese-produced AC352s feature two modular 1,800 shp class, dual-FADEC Turbomeca Ardiden 3C/WZ16 turboshaft engines, developed through a Turbomeca-AVIC Engine partnership. The engines drive the five-blade Spheriflex main rotor and a three-blade tail rotor. The EC175’s main gearbox integrates two accessory gearboxes and is de-clutchable, eliminating the need for an APU. Airbus Helicopters developed the gears and casing using CATIA V5, a first for the company.
7. Bell 412EP
The Bell 412, a utility helicopter costing around $8 million, is known for its versatility and reliability. It is a twin-turbine helicopter and has been popular in the civilian and military markets. It is widely used in search and rescue, corporate transport, and emergency medical services. It has a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to 13 passengers, and its advanced avionics and powerful engines ensure top-notch performance in various conditions. The Bell 412 prototype first flew in August 1979, with certification and deliveries starting in January 1981.
Range: 529 nmi (609 mi, 980 km)
Cruise speed: 122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h)
Why Bell 412EP helicopter is the most expensive?
Bell 412EP helicopter has a four-blade main rotor replaced the 212’s two-blade rotor. The 412SP variant featured increased fuel capacity, higher takeoff weight, and optional seating. In 1991, the 412HP with improved transmission replaced the SP.
In the early 2000s, Bell offered the 412EP for the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter program. The 412EP (Enhanced Performance) features a dual digital automatic flight control system. In 2013, Bell introduced the 412EPI, upgrading to a PT6T-9 engine with digital controls, a glass cockpit, Garmin touchscreen navigation, and BLR Strake and Fast Fin for better hover performance. Over 700 Model 412s (including 260 by AgustaWestland) have been built.
Powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada twin-pack turboshaft engines, it has the lowest in-flight shutdown rate. If one engine fails, the other can provide emergency power for 30 minutes.
8. Airbus H145
The Airbus H145 is a twin-engine light utility aircraft priced at around $9 million and can carry up to nine passengers with two staff. It is sold for passenger transport, corporate transport, emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue, para-public, and utility roles. This is used for emergency medical services, search and rescue, and corporate transportation. It provides a spacious cabin which can accommodate up to 10 passengers, advanced avionics, and a highly efficient rotor system. The performance, reliability, and safety features of Airbus H145 make it the best choice for many operators.
Range: 680 km (420 mi, 370 nmi)
Cruise speed: 246 km/h (153 mph, 133 kn)
Why it is the most expensive?
The EC145 features a larger cabin than the older BK 117 C1, with an internal space increase of 46 cm (18 in) in length and 13 cm (5 in) in width, raising cabin volume to 6.0 m³ (210 cu ft). Improvements include a higher maximum takeoff weight and greater range, achieved with composite rotor blades derived from the EC135. It has a hingeless rotor system with a titanium hub and was originally powered by twin Turboméca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines, later upgraded to Arriel 2E engines.
A key feature is the VARTOMS system, derived from the BK 117, making the EC145 “the quietest helicopter in its class.” The helicopter has an all-glass cockpit with a Thales Avionics MEGHAS Flight Control Display System and active matrix LCDs. It can be flown by one or two pilots, with redundant systems including autopilot, hydraulic boost, transmission lubrication, and sensors. The EC145 T2 includes enhanced avionics, a full 4-axis autopilot, dual-channel FADEC, and three large LCD primary displays.
9. AgustaWestland AW169
The AgustaWestland AW169 is a twin-engine, 10-seat, 4.8t helicopter valued at around $8 million. It is designed for various missions like corporate transport, emergency medical services, and law enforcement. This helicopter has a spacious flexible cabin for up to 10 passengers with advanced avionics, and powerful engines, ensuring superior performance and safety.
Range: 820 km (510 mi, 440 nmi)
Cruise speed: 306 km/h (190 mph, 165 km)
Why it is the most expensive?
The AW169 is a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter and the first new aircraft in its weight category in over 30 years. Weighing around 4,500 kg, it accommodates 7–10 passengers, positioned between the 3,175 kg 8-seat AW109GrandNew and the 6,400 kg 15-seat AW139. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A FADEC turboshaft engines, its variable-speed main rotor reduces noise and improves efficiency. Newly developed dampers between the rotor blades minimize vibrations for a smoother ride. It is also the first production helicopter in its class with electronically actuated landing gear.
The AW169 serves air ambulance, law enforcement, corporate, offshore, and utility sectors. It features a Rockwell Collins glass cockpit with three touchscreen displays, digital maps, dual radar altimeters, ADS-B tracking, HUMS, and NVG compatibility. Sharing cockpit and avionics elements with the AW139 and AW189, it ensures high support levels. A four-axis digital automatic flight control system and dual flight management system with terrain and traffic avoidance allow single-pilot IFR certification.
10. Airbus H160
The Airbus H160 is a medium utility helicopter costing approximately $12 million that is designed for missions like corporate transport, emergency medical services, and offshore operations. It provides a spacious cabin for up to 12 passengers with advanced fly-by-wire controls and a highly efficient rotor system. Its innovative design and cutting-edge technology make it the best helicopter in its class.
Range: 852 km
Cruise speed: 287 km/h
Why it is the most expensive?
The Airbus Helicopters H160 integrates advanced manufacturing technologies and materials for a lighter, more efficient design. It is the first helicopter to replace conventional hydraulic landing gear and brakes with electrical counterparts, reducing weight and enhancing safety. Airbus claims the all-composite H160 delivers the same performance as the AgustaWestland AW139 while being 1 tonne lighter, with lower fuel consumption and 15–20% reduced operating costs. The composite fuselage also allows greater design flexibility. Features like full de-icing and fly-by-wire controls were excluded due to weight and cost concerns.
The H160 is the first rotorcraft with the Blue Edge five-bladed main rotor, featuring a double-swept shape that reduces blade-vortex interaction noise by 3–4 dB and increases payload by 100 kg (220 lb). Aerodynamic innovations include a biplane tailplane stabilizer for improved low-speed stability and a quieter canted fenestron, generating an extra 80 kg of lift. It is also the first civilian helicopter with a canted Fenestron anti-torque tail rotor.
Powered by two Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines, an alternative Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210E engine was dropped due to insufficient power and design complexity. A redundant gearbox lubrication system allows over five hours of flight after primary failure without mechanical damage.
Conclusion:
The world’s most expensive helicopters have the pinnacle of aviation technology, combining luxury, safety, and efficiency. From the Airbus H225 Super Puma to the AgustaWestland AW109, these helicopters serve many purposes, from VIP transport to essential rescue missions, all while carrying hefty price tags that reflect their advanced features and capabilities.
