Helicopters Spain orders 36 Airbus Helicopter H135s for Defence and Interior Ministries

For the end of 2021, Airbus Helicopters was able to confirm a new order for its H135 helicopter program. The Spanish Ministries of Defence and Interior has placed a firm commitment for 36 helicopters. Later operators will be the Spanish Air Force, Navy, National Police and Guardia Civil.

The order comes from a stimulus plan which was activated by the Spanish government in order to support the industry. Half of the aircraft will be operated by the air force and navy, while the remaining half will be operated by civil authorities.

Deliveries for the H135 are expected to begin in and throughout 2022. Currently, the Spanish Army already performs missions with a fleet of 16 H135 helicopters and this latest order is a commitment to equip other divisions with the aircraft.

DGAM Admiral Santiago González commented: “Together with the NH90, the H135 will be present in all branches of the Spanish armed forces, as an example of harmonisation and the search for synergies in training and maintenance, as stipulated by our Helicopter Master Plan […] This collaboration between the Ministries of the Interior and Defence is an important milestone in the rationalisation of programmes by the Spanish Government.”

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said: “We are pleased to sign the largest H135 contract in the history of this programme in Spain, a key partner and one of the largest H135 operators worldwide. I take this opportunity to welcome the Spanish Navy and the Spanish Air Force as new users of this model […] The H135's performance, versatility, and flight readiness have been particularly appreciated by Spanish operators.”

With the new aircraft, the government will modernize its helicopter fleet. The Police and Guardia Civil will phase out the aging BO105 helicopters following the deliveries of the newer and more modern H135s. They will employ the aircraft on law enforcement, rescue and surveillance missions.

The H135 belongs to Airbus Helicopters´ more popular aircraft. To date, the manufacturer delivered thousands and currently there are around 1,350 H135s in service with 300 operators in 64 countries around the world.