This website uses cookies
More information
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Why visit ACE ’25?

Related background information from the Handbook...
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

First two H135s arrive with Spanish Ministry
The first two of a 36 H135 order have arrived in Spain. They will be used by law enforcement agencies to replace its BO105 helicopters in a wide range of police, surveillance and rescue missions.
Two H135s will be operated by Spain's National Police and the Guardia Civil.
Read this story in our November 2022 printed issue.

Airbus has delivered the first two H135s to the Spanish Guardia Civil and National Police under the 36 unit contract signed with the General Directorate for Armaments and Materiel (DGAM) at the end of 2021 to supply the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior. The Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even, along with Airbus Spain managing director Fernando Lombo, were present at the handover ceremony at the OEM's plant in Albacete.

The new helicopters will enable the National Police and Guardia Civil to replace its BO105 helicopters in a wide range of missions including police, surveillance and rescue activities. In total, the Ministry of Interior will receive 18 units.

"We are proud that the new H135s will join the 31 helicopters that are already operated by the Ministry of the Interior to help law enforcement agencies continue protecting and saving lives throughout Spain," says Even. "The H135 has proven to be a much-loved helicopter in Spain, where more than 80 units have already flying been all kinds of essential missions for more than 25 years. Just 10 months after the contract was signed, this delivery is further proof of this Iberian success story."

As for the Spanish Air Force and Navy, which will receive 11 and seven H135s respectively, deliveries will begin next year and will be added to the 16 helicopters already operated by the Spanish Army for training and support missions for the Military Emergency Unit (UME). From 2023 onwards, the three armed forces will be able to benefit from synergies in terms of training, operation and maintenance.

The Airbus light twin engine H135 is equipped with the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite. More than 1,350 H135 helicopters are operated by 300 operators in 64 countries. The fleet has accumulated more than six million flight hours. More than 200 H135s are flying all over the world for law enforcement missions.

Other News
 
2024 sees a strong showing for Airbus Helicopters
January 31, 2025
Airbus Helicopters celebrated a number of milestones last year, with success in the civil and parapublic markets. Its facility at Fort Erie in Canada turned 40, and the 450 orders gives it a 57 per cent market share.
Rega accepts first five-blade H145 in fleet upgrade
January 24, 2025
An Airbus H145 D3 is joining the Rega fleet and will perform air ambulance missions by the time it has been kitted out by the team. The operator is planning to replenish its roster and replace its fleet by 2026.
Midlands charity to fly fully-owned H145
December 9, 2024
Global Medical Response orders 28 from Airbus and 15 Bells
November 6, 2024