Airbus has delivered the first two of an order for 36 H135s by the Spanish General Directorate for Armaments and Materiel (DGAM) at the end of 2021 to supply the Ministries of Defence and Interior.
The Ministry of the Interior and specifically the Guardia Civil and National Police will receive 18 of the aircraft, which are intended to replace their ageing fleets of BO115s. The aircraft will be employed on variety of missions including police, surveillance and rescue activities.
Speaking at the handover at Albacete, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said: “We are proud that the new H135s, which will join the 31 helicopters that are already operated by the Ministry of the Interior, will help law enforcement agencies to continue protecting and saving lives throughout Spain. The H135 has proven to be a much-loved helicopter in Spain, where more than 80 units are already flying 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.”Turning to the military side of the order, the Spanish Air Force and Navy, which will receive eleven and seven H135s respectively, will begin receiving their aircraft during 2023.
