UK to acquire H145 helicopters for Cyprus, Brunei missions

With the Jupiter HT1 already used by the UK as a training helicopter, additional Jupiter HC2s are to be acquired to perform support and training roles in Cyprus and Brunei. (Airbus)

The United Kingdom is to acquire six new Airbus Helicopters H145 rotorcraft to be used in Cyprus and Brunei.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) published a transparency notice of the intended procurement on 13 November, saying that six helicopters are to be acquired along with three years of support for an estimated GBP140 million (USD172 million). Known as Jupiter HC2 (Helicopter Cargo 2) in UK military service, the helicopters are to be delivered from 2024.

The MoD already operates the H145 in the trainer configuration, with seven Jupiter HT1 (Helicopter Training 1) aircraft in use with the UK Military Flight Training System.

For the Cyprus mission, the Jupiter HC2s will replace the Airbus Puma HC2s that are now performing search-and-rescue and support duties at Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri as an interim measure following the recent retirement of the Bell 412s.

For the Brunei mission, the Jupiter HC2s will also replace Puma HC2s that are now supporting the British Army's training mission following the recent retirement of the Bell 212s.

The H145 is the civil variant of the H145M military helicopter. Although classed as a civil helicopter, the H145 is flown in a training and support capacity by armed forces around the world as a support and search-and-rescue platform.