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Spain Finalizes Purchase of 100 Airbus Helicopters Under National Plan

The contracts implement Spain’s National Helicopter Plan to boost strategic autonomy through expanded Airbus operations in Albacete.

Overview

  • The deal constitutes DGAM’s largest helicopter procurement to date and spans H135, H145M, H175M and NH90 fleets for the Army, Air and Space Force, and Navy.
  • Spain will receive 13 H135s (12 Air and Space Force, 1 Navy), 50 H145Ms for the Army, 6 H175Ms for the Air and Space Force, and 31 NH90s split between the Army (13), Air and Space Force (12) and Navy (6).
  • The Army’s H145M helicopters will perform pilot training, light attack with the HForce system, light utility tasks and disaster relief, complementing Tiger attack helicopters.
  • The Air and Space Force’s H175Ms will conduct governmental transport, replacing AS332/AS532 aircraft at Wing 48, while NH90s will support tactical lift, manoeuvre and special operations and complete the Navy’s amphibious helicopter fleet; 24 NH90s are already in Spanish service.
  • Airbus projects more than 300 direct jobs over three years as its Albacete site adds a military customization center and an international H145M pilot and technician training hub.