For a full Asia-Pacific analysis based on verified fleet data, refer to Asian Sky Group’s Civil Helicopter Fleet Report YE 2025.
To read or download the full report, please click here.

Australia

In 2025, Australia continued to dominate the helicopter market in Asia-Pacific, maintaining its top-ranking position with a total fleet of 1,051 helicopters. The fleet recorded a growth rate of 2.4%, representing a net increase of 25 units—the highest net gain among all countries in the region.

The fleet expansion was driven by a total of 75 additions, comprising 18 new deliveries and 57 pre-owned helicopters. Regarding deductions, a total of 50 helicopters were removed from the active fleet: this included 33 helicopters moved to other countries, 12 units placed in storage, and five retired from service.

Among the newly added helicopters, the Leonardo AW139 was the most popular new delivery in 2025, with six units delivered, accounting for 33.3% of the segment. This growth was largely driven by fleet expansion programs from major emergency service operators, most notably LifeFlight Australia, with its AW139 fleet expected to expand to around 20 aircraft by 2027. At the same time, the Western Australian Government introduced a new emergency rescue helicopter fleet comprising three AW139s, further strengthening the type’s presence in public safety and EMS operations.

Sustained demand from EMS and SAR missions reflects the AW139’s proven operational performance, long-range capability and suitability for Australia’s vast and remote operating environment. Supported by long-term government service contracts and rising mission volumes—evidenced by record rescue activity at LifeFlight’s Sunshine Coast base in 2025—operators have prioritized fleet standardization and renewal, further reinforcing the AW139’s leading position in the new delivery market.

In the pre-owned addition segment, the Airbus H125 remained the most popular choice with 14 units added, accounting for 24.6% of all pre-owned acquisitions. As for deductions, the Bell 206 and Airbus H125 accounted for the largest shares, with eight aircraft withdrawn each—together representing 32.0% of all helicopters removed from the active fleet.

Greater China

In 2025, Greater China—comprising mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan—maintained its position as the second-largest civil helicopter market in the Asia-Pacific region, with a total fleet of 723 helicopters. The region recorded a slight contraction of 0.4%, representing a net decrease of three units compared to the previous year.

The fleet’s performance was characterized by a balance between additions and withdrawals. A total of 14 helicopters were added to the region, split evenly between seven new deliveries and seven pre-owned additions. This modest growth, however, was offset by a total of 17 aircraft removed from the active fleet. Regarding deductions, the segment was primarily driven by 13 helicopters moved to other countries, accounting for 76.5% of all withdrawals. Notably, the United States was the primary destination for these exits, receiving 10 units.

Among the new deliveries in Greater China, China Southern GA took delivery of two Airbus H175 helicopters, marking a key milestone for the model’s entry into the regional offshore energy market. This followed a July 2025 contract between Airbus Helicopters and Skyco Leasing for six H175s in an offshore transport configuration, supplementing Skyco’s initial 2024 order for emergency management missions. The newly delivered aircraft will be operated by China Southern GA to meet the growing demands of the offshore energy sector.

In addition, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first H160 to Zhejiang Desheng General Aviation, marking the entry of the H160 into service in China. This aircraft will be primarily used in the energy sector, including personnel transport for offshore oil and gas platforms and wind farms, as well as pilotage at ports, emergency medical services, rescue operations, and other public service missions.

The strategic importance of this fleet expansion is reinforced by the establishment of an Airbus Global Maintenance Center in Zhuhai. In November 2025, China Southern GA and Airbus Helicopters signed an authorization agreement at Aero Asia, leveraging the operator’s technical expertise to provide comprehensive services—including maintenance, repair, training, and parts distribution—for next-generation platforms such as the H175 and H160. The local service network is expected to be a critical driver of long-term operational success for these advanced aircraft in the region.

Japan

In 2025, the third-largest helicopter fleet in the Asia-Pacific region recorded a net decrease of five units, with 20 new deliveries and seven pre-owned helicopters added, while 32 aircraft were removed from the fleet.

In Japan’s newly added fleet, the Airbus H160 made an entry with two units delivered—one to the City Fire Bureau and the other to Japan’s National Police Agency. The introduction of these next-generation helicopters into public service sectors underscores a growing preference for advanced technology in critical missions, such as firefighting and law enforcement.

As for deductions, the Airbus AS355 and AS365 accounted for the largest share of the retired fleet, with four units withdrawn from service for each model. Consistent with trends observed in other mature markets, these retirements reflect the gradual phasing out of aging legacy platforms as operators transition toward more modern and efficient aircraft to maintain operational readiness and safety standards.

New Zealand

In 2025, New Zealand’s helicopter fleet increased by a net of six aircraft. This included the delivery of ten new helicopters, the addition of 28 pre-owned units, and the departure of 32 aircraft from the fleet.

The Airbus H130 emerged as the most popular addition in New Zealand for 2025, with 11 units delivered, accounting for 29.0% of the country’s total additions. In contrast, the Airbus H125 led the deductions, with 12 units removed from the active fleet, representing 37.5% of all withdrawals.

New Zealand’s additions included one Leonardo AW169 delivered to Northern Rescue Helicopter Limited, supporting its ongoing fleet modernization across the Auckland and Northland region. Backed by government funding, the AW169 is intended to replace older aircraft and enhance EMS and SAR operational safety, reliability, and service capability.

India

India’s helicopter fleet saw a net increase of seven units in 2025, representing a 2.6% year-on-year growth. This expansion resulted from the delivery of 15 new helicopters, the addition of five pre-owned units, and the removal of 13 aircraft.

In India’s new delivery segment, Airbus Helicopters maintained a dominant position, delivering 11 units and accounting for 73.3% of the country’s total new additions. This included two H160 helicopters, representing the entry of next-generation technology into the market. Notably, the Airbus H125 emerged as the single most delivered model with five units, reinforcing its critical role as the backbone of India’s expanding civil rotorcraft fleet.

The strategic outlook for the region is further strengthened by the establishment of India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Karnataka. This facility is set to produce “Made in India” H125 helicopters, a move expected to unlock the untapped potential of South Asia’s civil and para-public segments. With the first locally assembled H125 slated for delivery in early 2027 and future plans for regional exports, this partnership signifies a major shift toward industrial self-reliance and long-term market growth in the South Asian rotorcraft sector.

South Korea

By the end of 2025, South Korea’s helicopter fleet recorded a net increase of three units. During the year, one new helicopter was delivered, nine pre-owned helicopters were added, and seven aircraft were removed from the fleet.

Currently, the top three models in South Korea’s helicopter fleet are the Kamov Ka- 32 (Heavy), Sikorsky S-76 (Medium Twin), and Airbus H125 (Single). The Ka-32 serves as a heavy-duty workhorse, leveraging its unique coaxial rotor design to provide the stability and lifting capacity essential for aerial firefighting and mountain SAR missions. In the corporate sector, the Sikorsky S-76 is widely used by large Korean conglomerates for VIP transport, valued for its quiet cabin environment and strong safety record. Complementing these platforms, the Airbus H125 offers low operating costs and high agility, making it the ideal asset for power line inspections, aerial photography, and light cargo transport across Korea’s rugged terrain. Together, these three models form a balanced fleet that effectively addresses South Korea’s complex geographical and operational requirements.

Indonesia

In 2025, Indonesia’s helicopter fleet experienced a net increase of two aircraft, with five new deliveries, five pre-owned additions, and eight helicopters leaving the fleet.

Indonesia’s helicopter market is fundamentally shaped by its unique archipelagic geography, comprising over 17,000 islands. The country’s rugged terrain and underdeveloped road and maritime infrastructure create a critical need for point-to-point aerial connectivity, making helicopters an indispensable tool for linking isolated regions and supporting rapid industrial expansion in remote areas.

Reflecting this growing demand, in December 2025, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first H160 to Derazona, marking the introduction of this advanced medium-class helicopter into Indonesia’s energy sector and the wider Southeast Asian market. This delivery established Derazona as the first operator in the region to deploy the H160 for offshore energy missions.

Looking ahead, the Indonesian government announced a major strategic initiative at the end of 2025, planning to procure up to 200 helicopters starting in 2026 to strengthen national defense and disaster response capabilities. This program is designed to enable the country to respond proactively, rather than reactively, to natural disasters, as demonstrated during the 2025 Sumatra flood relief operations.

Malaysia

In 2025, Malaysia’s helicopter fleet recorded a net decrease of five units, driven by the addition of one pre-owned aircraft, while six helicopters exited the active fleet.

Malaysia was one of the Asia-Pacific countries with the largest net reduction in helicopter numbers in 2025. Among the helicopters that left Malaysia’s active fleet in 2025, four were manufactured by Bell, accounting for 66.7% of all departures.

A major contributing factor was the insolvency of Systematic Aviation Services (SAS). In early 2025, an Australian firm, acting as a creditor, filed a winding-up petition due to SAS’s inability to settle its outstanding debts. This legal action led the High Court to order the company’s compulsory liquidation.

Prior to this order, SAS had already suffered several setbacks, including the cancellation of a government aircraft maintenance contract and other unresolved operational issues, which further exacerbated the company’s financial troubles and ultimately contributed to the departure of its helicopters from Malaysia’s fleet.

The Philippines

In 2025, the Philippines-based helicopter fleet increased by six units, driven by the delivery of nine new helicopters, the addition of one pre-owned aircraft, and four helicopters leaving the fleet.

From 2023 to 2025, the fastest-growing helicopter model in the Philippines was the Bell 429, which saw an 83.3% increase over this period. The Bell 429 is a light twin-engine utility helicopter with a spacious cabin, strong payload and range performance, advanced flight systems, and versatile configurations, making it suitable for business/VIP transport, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and general aviation missions. These features make the model highly attractive in a multi-island country like the Philippines.

In recent years, Philippine operators have continued to expand their fleets with Bell 429 helicopters. Further supporting this growth, in December 2025, INAEC Aviation Corporation received official Bell authorization as a Bell 429 maintenance center in the Philippines. This development allows local operators to perform maintenance domestically rather than sending aircraft abroad, significantly reducing maintenance costs and downtime, and providing a strong logistical foundation for continued fleet expansion.

Papua New Guinea

In 2025, Papua New Guinea’s helicopter fleet remained unchanged compared to 2024, with a total of one new delivery, six pre-owned additions, and seven helicopters placed into storage.

Within the stored fleet, the most numerous models were the Bo105 and Bell 222, with three and two aircraft, respectively. The average age of the stored helicopters was 41 years, highlighting the aging nature of the segment.

Among the additions, the H145 was the most prevalent model, with an average age of 28 years, reflecting a clear trend toward fleet modernization.

For a full Asia-Pacific analysis based on verified fleet data, refer to Asian Sky Group’s Civil Helicopter Fleet Report YE 2025.
To read or download the full report, please click here.