The Spanish Ministries of Defense and Interior have confirmed the purchase of 36 Airbus H135 helicopters. This signature takes place in the context of the stimulus plan implemented by the Spanish government to support the industry. The Ministry of Defense will receive 18 helicopters to be operated by the Air Force and the Navy, whereas the Ministry of the Interior will also receive 18 helicopters to be operated by the National Police and the Civil Guard. Deliveries will commence next year.
The Spanish Army already has a fleet of 16 H135 helicopters. With this order, these will be the first H135s for the Spanish Air Force and the first Airbus Helicopters product for the Spanish Navy.
Similar to the H135s acquired some time ago by the Spanish Army, the new aircraft for the Air Force and the Navy will replace older helicopter models presently used for advanced pilot training. Standardizing the training fleets of the three armed forces will create both synergies and lead to the implementation of new and more efficient training and support activities.
«Along with the NH90, the H135 will be present in all branches of the Spanish Armed Forces, as an example of harmonization and search for synergies in training and maintenance, as stipulated in our Helicopter Master Plan,» said Admiral Santiago Gonzalez at the DGAM. «This partnership between the Ministries of Interior and Defense is an important milestone in the rationalization of programs by the Spanish government.»
The Interior Ministry currently has a fleet of 31 H135 family helicopters in service with the National Police, Civil Guard, and Traffic. The new helicopters will allow the Police and Guardia Civil to replace BO105 helicopters in a wide range of missions including police, surveillance, and rescue activities.
«We are very pleased to sign the largest H135 contract in the history of this program in Spain, a key partner and one of the largest H135 operators worldwide. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Spanish Navy and Air Force as new users of this model,» said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. «The H135’s performance, versatility, and flight readiness have been particularly appreciated by Spanish operators.»
Airbus’ light twin-engine H135 is equipped with the most advanced available technologies, including Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite. There are some 1,350 H135 helicopters operated by 300 operators in 64 countries. The fleet has accumulated 6 million flight hours.
