German Army Aviation Showcase at Celle

By Dino van Doorn | GMAP.NL Team | September 2026

German Army Aviation Showcase at Celle – 30 September 2026

On 30 September 2026, the German Army Aviation Corps opened the gates of the Immelmann Barracks in Celle for a special “Leistungsschau der Heeresflieger”, offering invited guests and members of the media an interesting insight into the capabilities, equipment and daily operations of German Army Aviation.

The event took place at Flugplatz Celle, one of the important locations for German Army Aviation and home to the Ausbildungs- und Übungszentrum Luftbeweglichkeit (AusbUebZLbwglk). Celle has a long association with military aviation and today plays an important role in training personnel and developing air-mobile operations within the Bundeswehr.

German Army Aviation up close

The Leistungsschau provided an opportunity to see various aspects of modern German Army Aviation at close range. Rather than being a traditional public airshow, the event was primarily intended as a presentation of the capabilities of the Heeresflieger and the interaction between aircraft, crews and ground personnel.

Several helicopter types associated with current German Army Aviation operations could be seen during the event. Among the most prominent were the NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) and the Airbus Helicopters H145M, representing two very different but complementary capabilities.

The NH90 is the Bundeswehr’s modern medium transport helicopter and is used for missions including tactical troop transport, logistical support and medical evacuation. Its size and capabilities make it an important element in air-mobile operations.

The much smaller and highly manoeuvrable H145M provides the German armed forces with a flexible platform suitable for a wide range of missions. Its relatively compact dimensions and modern avionics make it particularly versatile.

More than just helicopters

A Leistungsschau is about considerably more than displaying aircraft. The event also demonstrated the people, equipment and organisation required to keep an Army Aviation unit operational.

Visitors were able to gain an impression of how flying operations are supported on the ground and how different elements work together during an air-mobile mission. This provided an interesting look behind the scenes, showing that the effectiveness of military helicopter operations depends not only on the aircraft and their crews, but equally on technicians, ground personnel, mission planning and logistical support.

For aviation photographers, the event offered some excellent opportunities to photograph German Army helicopters from positions that are normally inaccessible. Static presentations and flying activities provided a good combination of detailed close-up photography and action shots.

Celle and the Heeresflieger

Celle has been associated with military flying for many decades and remains an important location within the German Army Aviation community. The Immelmann Barracks and the adjacent airfield provide facilities for training and operational exercises, particularly in the field of air mobility.

Events such as the Leistungsschau demonstrate how the role of Army Aviation continues to evolve. Modern helicopters are increasingly integrated into complex operations involving ground forces, command-and-control elements and other branches of the armed forces.

The Leistungsschau der Heeresflieger on 30 September 2026 therefore provided much more than an opportunity to see military helicopters. It offered a valuable insight into the organisation, technology and personnel behind German Army Aviation and into the way these different elements combine to provide an effective air-mobile capability.

For GMAP.NL, the visit to Celle also provided an excellent opportunity to document the current generation of German Army Aviation helicopters in their operational environment.