New Airbus aircraft will be used for jungle training, medical evacuation, troop transport, and operational support missions, replacing part of the roles previously performed by the Puma HC2
The British Army has received two new Airbus H145 Jupiter HC Mk2 helicopters in Brunei as part of a UK Ministry of Defence program valued at £148 million. The aircraft will be operated by 667 Squadron of the Army Air Corps and will enhance the force’s capabilities in a region strategic for training and operational support.
According to released information, the helicopters will be used for jungle training and will take over missions previously carried out by the now-retired Puma HC2 fleet. Planned roles include medical evacuation, troop transport, underslung load operations, firefighting, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as general military aviation support.
The Ministry of Defence described the delivery as an important milestone in one of its fastest acquisition programs in recent years. The aircraft arrived in Brunei just two years after the contract was signed, on a timeline considered accelerated by defense standards.
In total, six helicopters are being acquired under the program. They will be assigned to the Army Air Corps in Brunei and to 84 Squadron of the Royal Air Force in Cyprus. All six aircraft are expected to be operational in these regions by the end of 2026.
In addition to operational reinforcement, the program also has an industrial impact in the United Kingdom. The initiative supports 250 Airbus jobs in Oxfordshire. In December, a separate support and services contract worth £33.6 million was also announced, securing an additional 30 jobs, including eight personnel deployed to Brunei to maintain the helicopters in service.
Mark Langrill, director of rotary-wing and unmanned air systems at the National Armaments Director Group, said that delivering the aircraft to Brunei within this timeframe required commitment from all involved, including the Ministry of Defence team, Army and RAF personnel, as well as Airbus Helicopters UK.
According to him, the program has shown that accelerated acquisitions can work while delivering real capability to the front line and supporting the UK industry.
Group Captain J Brooks, the program’s senior responsible officer, highlighted that the rapid delivery demonstrates the ability to provide a modern, reliable, and cost-effective solution for Defence.
The arrival of the H145 Jupiter HC Mk2 enhances British operational capability in Brunei and marks another step in the renewal of the helicopter fleet used for support, mobility, and response missions in complex environments.
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Source and images: Royal Air Force | UK Defence Journal. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
