The Spanish Ministry of Interior is set to acquire 51 Eurocopter EC135 helicopters as part of a programme to modernise the fleets of the Guardia Civil and Cuerpo Nacional de Policia over the next eight years.

"Today's announcement is a great success for Eurocopter, since we consider Spain as being one of the most important helicopter markets in terms of strategic growth," said Fabrice Bregier, Eurocopter president and ceo.

"Furthermore, it is a crucial move towards an even more integrated and highly competitive European aerospace industry, as Spain acquires, with this helicopter programme, a decisive aeronautic-industrial competence."

As part of the agreement, Eurocopter Espana will set up an assembly line for the aircraft in Albacete.