NPAS has placed a firm order with Airbus Helicopters for two additional H135 helicopters, taking its fleet renewal programme to a total of nine aircraft. The order follows Home Office confirmation in May of funding for the two extra helicopters, on top of the seven originally ordered under the 2025 Framework Contract signed with BlueLight Commercial, which confirms Airbus as the exclusive helicopter supplier to NPAS for up to six years.

The additional pair will arrive at Airbus's Oxford site in 2028 ahead of completion to NPAS's specification. They follow the first two fleet renewal aircraft, G‑NPAA and G‑NPAS, which arrived at Oxford in April for extensive policing customisation. G‑NPAA has gone straight into modification, while G‑NPAS is supporting training and certification work ahead of the type joining the Police Air Operator Certificate. The first aircraft is due for operational deployment from mid-2027. All nine will be fitted with Airbus's Helionix avionics system, alongside Night Vision Imaging System capability, upgraded daylight, low light and infrared sensors, 3D spatial audio, 4G/5G connectivity, weather radar, collision avoidance and Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney, NPAS accountable manager, says: “These aircraft will provide a modern, resilient and effective capability for policing, supporting our crews as they respond to incidents, assist officers on the ground and protect the public.”

Richard Atack, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, adds: “Building on decades of UK design and customisation expertise, Airbus Helicopters in the UK will play a key role in helping to bring the UK's police helicopter fleet to a best-in-class standard, equipped with the latest security and policing technology.”

NPAS currently operates 16 H135 and four H145 helicopters from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, plus four Vulcanair P68R fixed-wing aircraft. A parallel disposal programme is under way to retire nine of the older aircraft as the new fleet enters service. More than 1,470 H135s are in service worldwide, having exceeded eight million flight hours with over 325 customers.