Spain signs for 100 Airbus helicopters

Spain is acquiring 100 new Airbus rotorcraft, including HForce-equipped H145Ms (pictured here in its earlier four-bladed configuration). (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Spanish government has contracted Airbus Helicopters to deliver 100 rotorcraft of different types for all three branches of the country's armed forces.

Announced by the company on 18 December, the contracts cover 13 H135, 50 H145M, six H175M, and 31 NH90 helicopters for an undisclosed value.

“Spain is placing orders for 100 Airbus helicopters through the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) of the Ministry of Defence. These four contracts, framed within the National Helicopter Plan announced in May, aim to boost the modernisation of Spain's defence and security assets,” Airbus Helicopters said, adding that the contracts are the largest ever helicopter order placed by the DGAM.

As noted in the announcement, the 13 H135s comprise 12 helicopters for the Spanish Air and Space Force and one for the Spanish Navy, to be used for advanced pilot training, light utility, and observation missions. The 50 H145M helicopters are all for the Spanish Army to cover military pilot training, light attack (equipped with the Airbus HForce weapons system, complementing the Airbus Tiger attack helicopter), light utility, and disaster relief. The six H175M helicopters are for the Spanish Air and Space Force to be used for governmental missions, including VIP transport. Finally, the 31 NH90 helicopters comprise 13 for the Spanish Army, 12 for Spanish Air and Space Force, and six for the Spanish Navy under the country's Phase 3 NH90 procurement plan, to be used for tactical transport, manoeuvre, and special operations missions, as well as completing the navy's amphibious warfare fleet.