Kuwait's armed forces placed a firm order worth more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) for 30 Airbus Caracal military helicopters, the French defence ministry said.

The deal signed on Tuesday is part of 2.5 billion euros in French defence contracts announced last year by the Gulf emirate.
The long-range H225M tactical transport helicopters, each seating 28 troops in addition to crew, are destined for the Kuwaiti army and national guard, the French ministry said, with deliveries to begin early in 2019.
Airbus confirmed the order in a statement.
The Kuwaiti order is a much-needed boost for the Airbus Group's helicopter division, which has been hit by weaker demand from the oil and gas industry.
It has also suffered in the wake of April's fatal crash of a H225 Super Puma, the model's civilian version, blamed on gearbox metal fatigue in a preliminary report.

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