NPAS receives first new H135 T3H helicopter from Airbus

The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has taken delivery of a new H135 T3H aircraft at Airbus UK’s headquarters in Oxford. As well as the H135 with registration G‑NPAS, G‑NPAA is due to be delivered shortly and together they will constitute the basis of the National Fleet Replacement Programme’s (FRP’s) familiarization and development phase, supporting preparations for the rest of the new H135s that will replace aging H145s and H135s across the NPAS fleet, in a seven-in-and-seven-out process. NPAS will maintain its total fleet size of 20 helicopters across 15 locations (in addition to four fixed-wing craft). The schedule of deliveries is due to be completed by the end of 2027.

G‑NPAS will lead the program by supporting training for NPAS training captains, preparing the addition of the H135 T3H to the Approved Training Organisation (ATO), and supporting work to bring the new fleet onto the police air operator certificate (PAOC). It will then enter the modification program in early 2027.

With the information gathered from G‑NPAS and the work with NPAS, G‑NPAA will then proceed directly into modification, where Airbus will fit the specialist mission equipment required to convert the baseline aircraft into an operational police helicopter, ready for service in mid‑2027.

Advanced technology and mission system enhancements

The seven new H135 T3H helicopters entering service from 2027 will feature full night vision imaging system (NVIS) capability and a range of advanced technologies to enhance operational effectiveness. These include upgraded daylight, low‑light, and infrared imaging systems offering improved detection, tracking, and evidential recording.

Crews will also benefit from three-dimensional (3D) spatial audio to improve situational awareness and reduce cognitive load, as well as enhanced video architecture enabling the integration of more sophisticated sensors. Fourth- and fifth-generation (4G/5G) connectivity will provide faster, more reliable data sharing between aircraft and ground units.

The aircraft’s open architecture design will allow future integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) assisted detection. Additional enhancements include weather radar, collision avoidance systems, high-definition (HD) air-to-ground and air-to-air data links, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) capability, and ergonomic workstation layouts to support crew performance during extended missions.

Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney, NPAS Accountable Manager, said: “The arrival of these first aircraft marks a significant moment in our Fleet Replacement Programme and represents the beginning of the transition to a modern, more capable aviation service. The existing fleet is approximately 20 years old and therefore this investment will see a dramatic increase in aircraft availability along with major advancements in technology, enabling NPAS to continue to work alongside other aviation assets.

“Preparing our crews through early familiarization and training is essential as we move towards introducing the new H135 T3H fleet. This program of investment ensures we can continue to deliver a safe, resilient, and effective air support service for policing across England and Wales.”

Gaffney added: “These seven helicopters are the largest investment in police aviation in history and it serves to future-proof police aviation into the future. It can’t be underestimated that we’ve not had new helicopters for about 20 years and these seven new ones will ensure that we are able to continue a crewed service, vital for the safety of our public, for years to come.”

Richard Atack, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters UK, said: “Equipped with an advanced sensor suite and cutting-edge avionics, delivery of this extremely complex aircraft demonstrates Airbus Helicopters’ engineering and integration excellence, a critical factor in helping NPAS meet today and tomorrow’s policing air support needs. Airbus Helicopters has been at the heart of UK police helicopter operations for nearly half a century and today supports a mixed fleet of 20 NPAS H135 and H145 aircraft.”

Atack praised the relationship that Airbus has with NPAS: “You are more than a customer. You are one of the UK’s premier rotary-wing operators and a global reference point for law enforcement and air support. Whether it’s deploying police dog squads for emergency response, conducting high-speed pursuits, or providing wide-area surveillance for critical operations across England and Wales, NPAS is at the forefront of modern policing. In fact, three of the five H135s with the highest flying hours worldwide are operated by NPAS, a staggering testament to the reliability of this platform and the skill of the teams who fly and maintain them.”