Spain Clears Record 100-Helicopter Airbus Acquisition
Spain has approved the purchase of 100 Airbus helicopters, the largest rotary-wing acquisition to date under the Directorate General for Armament and Material.
The orders fall under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May and are intended to modernize Madrid’s military fleet while replacing aging platforms.
It covers four Airbus helicopter types assigned across the armed forces for training, transport, combat support, and governmental missions.
“This investment is strategic and is focused on significantly increasing Spain’s security and defense capabilities, ensuring national strategic autonomy in a key sector of European defense,” stated María Amparo Valcarce García, Secretary of State for Defence.
Helicopter Types for Spain
The contract allocates 13 H135 helicopters, including 12 for the air and space force and one for the navy.
These aircraft will be used primarily for advanced pilot training, as well as for light utility and observation tasks.
Spanish Army Aviation command will receive 50 H145M helicopters.
The fleet will support a broad mission set, including military pilot training, light attack operations using the HForce weapon management system, utility transport, and disaster relief.
In operational service, the H145M will complement the Spanish Army’s Tiger attack helicopters in lower-intensity combat and support roles.
Six H175M super-medium helicopters have been assigned to the air and space force for governmental and strategic transport missions, including the movement of senior authorities.
The aircraft will replace aging helicopters operated by Wing 48, the unit responsible for governmental transport missions.
Moreover, the package also includes 31 NH90 helicopters, with 13 allocated to the army, 12 to the air and space force, and six to the navy.
The NH90 fleet will be used for tactical transport, maneuver, and special operations, while the naval variant will strengthen Spain’s amphibious warfare and shipborne transport capabilities.
