Aviation News – Spain has placed orders for 100 Airbus helicopters through its Ministry of Defence, marking a major step in modernising national defence and security capabilities. The move strengthens fleet readiness while reinforcing long-term industrial cooperation with Airbus.
The procurement is being managed by the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) under four separate contracts announced as part of the National Helicopter Plan unveiled in May. The program is designed to replace aging platforms and standardise rotary-wing assets across Spain’s armed forces and security services, improving operational efficiency and lifecycle management.
The helicopters will support a wide range of missions, including transport, surveillance, training, and emergency response. Standardised platforms provide bolt-on capability upgrades, simplified maintenance, and improved interoperability across services, enabling faster deployment and higher availability in both domestic and international operations.
The agreement includes the following programmes:
- 13 H135 helicopters: 12 units for the Spanish Air and Space Force and 1 for the Navy. They will be used for advanced pilot training, light utility, and observation missions.
- 50 H145M helicopters: All for the Spanish Army (FAMET). Their missions cover military pilot training, light attack (equipped with HForce, complementing the Tiger), light utility and disaster relief.
- 6 H175M helicopters: For the Spanish Air and Space Force. These super-medium utility helicopters will be used for governmental missions, including the transport of authorities, replacing obsolete fleets from Wing 48.
- 31 NH90 helicopters: 13 for the Army, 12 for Air and Space Force, and 6 for the Navy. Destined for tactical transport, manoeuvre, and special operations missions, as well as completing the Navy’s amphibious warfare fleet.