The Spanish Ministry of Defense, through the Directorate General of Armament and Material (Digam), approved the award of a contract to Airbus Helicopters España valued at €1.975 billion for the implementation of the Light Multirole Helicopters (Helipo) program.
The contract provides for the acquisition of 50 H145M helicopters, as well as the logistical support required for the aircraft’s initial entry into service.
The decision was made through a direct award, on the grounds that Airbus Helicopters España is the only company technically capable of carrying out the project. According to the Ministry of Defense, additional improvements considered strategic for the public administration were also negotiated.
The budget will be executed over ten years, starting in the next fiscal year and with completion scheduled for 2035. The financial schedule distributes the funds in annual tranches, with disbursements ranging between €60 million and €300 million, in line with the different phases of acquisition, integration, and logistical support of the program.
Structural change in Army aviation
The Helipo program is considered one of the main modernization initiatives of the Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra (Famet), the aviation branch of the Spanish Army. The proposal goes beyond a simple replacement of aircraft and seeks a structural transformation of the fleet, through the adoption of a single, modern, and interoperable platform.
The H145M will gradually replace the light EC-135 helicopters, in service since 2005 and nearing the end of their service life, while also filling the operational gap between the Tigre attack helicopters and the medium transport NH90 helicopters.
Why the H145M was chosen
According to assessments by the Spanish Army, the war in Ukraine has shown that conventional conflicts require a large volume of assets, something difficult to sustain using only highly sophisticated platforms with high operating costs and limited numbers.
In this context, the H145M was selected for offering greater flexibility, lower operating costs, and high availability, enabling the execution of missions that are not suitable either for the Tigre, focused on heavy combat, or for the NH90, which is significantly larger and more expensive to operate.
Three versions for different missions
Of the 50 planned units, the H145M will be acquired in three main configurations:
- Emergency response, assigned to the Military Emergency Unit (UME)
- Training and instruction
- Light multirole attack, equipped with the HForce weapon system
The latter version can be configured for a wide range of missions, including fire support, armed reconnaissance, and security operations.
HForce system and production in Albacete
HForce is a modular weapon system developed by Airbus that allows the integration of rockets, laser-guided missiles, cannons, and machine guns, turning the helicopter into a light attack platform. A critical part of this system will be manufactured in Albacete, reinforcing the participation of Spanish industry in the program.
The system includes a multirole mission computer, helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD), electro-optical sensors for target acquisition, and interfaces for various types of weapons, enabling engagement of armored vehicles, aircraft, drones, and light maritime targets.
Technical characteristics of the H145M
The H145M is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, features FADEC digital engine control, and the Helionix avionics suite, which incorporates a four-axis autopilot and significantly reduces crew workload. The manufacturer also highlights the helicopter’s low acoustic signature, considered among the lowest in its class.
International operators
In addition to Spain, the H145M has already been acquired by Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Thailand, Luxembourg, and Cyprus, where it operates across different military and security mission profiles.
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Source and images: X @AirbusHeli | @AirbusHeli | @Defensagob | @EjercitoTierra | @Armada_esp | @EjercitoAire. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
