Airbus delivers two H135s to Spanish police

Airbus handed over the first two H135 helicopters of a 36-unit contract have been handed over to the Guardia Civil – the national gendarmerie – and National Police – at a handover ceremony at the Airbus facility in Albacete. a

The new H135s – 18 of which will be allocated to the two agencies – will allow the National Police and Guardia Civil to replace its ageing BO105 helicopters, which they have operated since the 1970s. They will be used to carry out a wide range of policing, surveillance, and rescue activities.

The contract was signed by the General Directorate for Armaments and Materiel (DGAM) in December 2021 on behalf of the Ministries of the Interior and Defence.

The Navy and Air Force will receive units from 2023

Deliveries to the Spanish Air Force and Navy will begin next year – the two services will receive 11 and seven helicopters respectively. These rotorcraft will join the 16 helicopters already being operated by the Spanish Army for training and support missions for the Military Emergency Unit (UME).

The H135 has a maximum speed of 252km/h with a maximum range of 633km, and a maximum endurance of 3 hr 36 min. In a standard police surveillance configuration, the rotorcraft has spaces for two pilots and an onboard operator at an electro-optical system console, as well as including additional space for cargo or equipment. The H135 also comes equipped with a Helionix avionics suite.

"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," said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.