Albacete, Spain. 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.
The contracts, which represent the largest helicopter purchase by the DGAM, include four different models for the three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces. Specifically, 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.
“By formalising these contracts, the Ministry of Defence fulfils its commitment to provide our Armed Forces with the latest generation of helicopters that are essential for their operations,” stated María Amparo Valcarce García, Secretary of State for Defence. “This investment is strategic and is focused on significantly increasing Spain’s security and defence capabilities, ensuring national strategic autonomy in a key sector of European defence.”
“This award is the tangible realisation of the National Helicopter Plan and the programmes included represent a qualitative shift in the capabilities of the Armed Forces. We are proud to be strengthening Spain’s national defence and security resilience,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Furthermore, they consolidate and advance Airbus Helicopters’ industrial footprint in Spain, projecting the country as a reference hub in the European aeronautical industry,” he added.
In addition to strengthening the current industrial capabilities of Airbus Helicopters in Spain, this plan is expected to have a direct impact on the creation of highly-qualified jobs, estimated at more than 300 direct positions over the next three years. The industrial footprint in Albacete will continue to grow with a new military helicopter customisation centre and an international training centre for H145M pilots and technicians. These developments will further supplement the ongoing construction of facilities dedicated to the Tiger mid-life upgrade.
In parallel, Airbus Helicopters aims to develop its Albacete site into a Centre of Expertise for digital capabilities. Within this framework, a Digital Campus is being developed, in collaboration with the University of Albacete and the Science and Technology Park of Castilla Mancha, specializing in the creation of digital tools and cybersecurity for all Airbus Helicopters. Additionally, the areas of support engineering, software development, connectivity and maintenance for the Spanish Armed Forces’ military helicopters will be strengthened.
