Spain orders 100 Airbus helicopters under national modernization plan
Spain has taken a major step in upgrading its rotary-wing capabilities by placing an order for 100 Airbus helicopters through the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM). The four contracts, signed under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May 2025, were confirmed by Airbus on December 18, 2025. The deal represents the largest helicopter procurement ever carried out by DGAM.
The order spans four Airbus helicopter models and is intended for all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in Spain’s military helicopter modernization effort.
Fleet mix across the armed forces
Spain will acquire 13 Airbus H135 light twin-engine helicopters, with 12 allocated to the Air and Space Force and one to the Navy. These aircraft will be used for advanced pilot training, light utility, and observation missions.
The largest portion of the order is for the Army’s Airmobile Force (FAMET), which will receive 50 Airbus H145M helicopters. According to Airbus, their missions will include military pilot training, light attack roles using the HForce weapon system, light utility tasks, and disaster relief. The H145M fleet is expected to complement, rather than replace, the Spanish Army’s Tiger attack helicopters.
L’Aeronautica riceverà inoltre sei Airbus H175M Spain’s Air and Space Force will also receive six Airbus H175M helicopters for governmental missions, including the transport of authorities. These aircraft will replace aging AS332 Super Puma and AS532 Cougar helicopters currently operated by Wing 48.
Il quarto pilastro del programma è rappresentato da 31 NH90The fourth element of the procurement includes 31 NH90 helicopters, allocated to the Army (13), the Air and Space Force (12), and the Navy (6). Airbus noted that 24 NH90s are already in service in Spain. The new aircraft will support tactical transport, maneuver, and special operations, while completing the Navy’s amphibious helicopter capability.
Strategic autonomy and industrial impact
“By formalising these contracts, the Ministry of Defence fulfils its commitment to equip our Armed Forces with the latest-generation helicopters essential for their operations,” said María Amparo Valcarce García, Spain’s Secretary of State for Defence. She described the investment as strategic, aimed at strengthening national security and reinforcing Spain’s strategic autonomy in a key European defence sector.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said the agreements represent the concrete implementation of the National Helicopter Plan and a “qualitative shift” in Spain’s military capabilities. He added that the programs will consolidate and expand Airbus Helicopters’ industrial footprint in Spain. Airbus Helicopters, Bruno Even, ha parlato di una “svolta qualitativa” per le capacità militari spagnole, sottolineando come il programma rappresenti l’attuazione concreta del National Helicopter Plan.
Airbus estimates that the plan will generate more than 300 direct jobs over the next three years. The company’s Albacete site will be expanded with a new military helicopter customization center and an international training center for H145M pilots and technicians. These facilities will complement ongoing infrastructure investments linked to Spain’s Tiger mid-life upgrade program. Airbus also plans to strengthen support engineering, software development, connectivity, and maintenance capabilities for Spain’s military helicopter fleet.
Il gruppo europeo prevede inoltre di rafforzare in Spagna le attività di ingegneria di supporto, sviluppo software, connettività e manutenzione, consolidando il Paese come uno dei poli industriali chiave di Airbus Helicopters in Europa.
