Spanish Navy receives first H135 helicopter

The first of seven H135 helicopters for the Armada was delivered on 27 October. (Airbus)

The Spanish Navy (Armada) has received into service its first Airbus Helicopters H135 rotorcraft, the manufacturer announced on 27 October.

Delivery of the first of seven helicopters ordered by the Armada will allow the service to launch crew training ahead of their deployment to sea in 2024.

In Armada service the H135 will replace ageing Hughes MD 500 in the maritime support and training roles.

Spain ordered 36 Airbus H135 helicopters for use by the armed forces and police/civil guard in December 2021. The order included 18 helicopters for the air force and navy to augment the 16 EC135s (the nomenclature used by Eurocopter prior to becoming Airbus Helicopters) operated by the army. The value of the 18 helicopters was EUR178 million (USD194 million at the time), including simulators.

Delivery of the first H135 to the Armada came six months after the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire Español: EdAE) received its first model into service in May.