The Spanish Ministry of Defense has, through the General Directorate of Armaments and Materiel (Digam approved the award of a contract to Airbus Helicopters España worth 1.975 billion euros with a view to the implementation of the programme Lighter multi-role helicopters (Helipo).
The contract includes the acquisition of 50 H145M helicopters as well as the necessary logistical support for the helicopters’ initial commissioning.
The decision was made via direct allocationon the grounds that Airbus Helicopters Spain is the only company technically capable of carrying out the project. According to the Ministry of Defence, further improvements have also been negotiated, which are considered strategically important for the public administration.
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The budget will be implemented over a period of ten yearsstarting in the next financial year and expected to end in 2035. The financial plan distributes the funds in annual installments with payments in between 60 million and 300 million eurosin step with the programme’s various phases for acquisition, integration and logistical support.
Structural Change in Army Air Capability
The Helipo program is considered one of the most important modernization measures for Airmobile Forces of the Army (Famet)the airborne component i the Spanish army. The initiative goes beyond a simple replacement of aircraft and aims at a structural transformation of the fleet through the introduction of one common, modern and interoperable platform.
The H145M will gradually replace the light ones EC-135-helicopters that have been in service since 2005 and are nearing the end of their service life, and at the same time fill the operative gap between the attack helicopters Tigre and the medium-sized transport helicopters NH90.
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 capacitieswhich is difficult to maintain solely with highly sophisticated platforms with high operating costs and limited numbers.
In this context, the H145M was chosen because it offers greater flexibility, lower operating costs and high availabilityenabling tasks that are neither suitable for the Tigers, which are focused on heavy combat, nor for the NH90, which is significantly larger and more expensive to operate.
Three versions for different missions
Of the planned 50 units, the H145M will be procured in three main configurations:
- Preparedness and emergency assistanceintended for the Military Emergency Unit (UME)
- Education and training
- Let flerrolleangrebequipped with the weapon system HForce
The latter version can be configured for a wide range of missions, including fire support, armed reconnaissance and security operations.
The HForce system and production in Albacete
HForce is a modular weapon system developed by Airbus that enables the integration of rockets, laser-guided missiles, cannons and machine guns, thus turning the helicopter into a light attack platform. A critical part of the system will remain produced in Albacetewhich strengthens the participation of Spanish industry in the program.
The system includes a flerrolle-missionscomputera helmet-mounted sighting device (HMSD), electro-optical sensors for target designation, as well as interfaces to various types of weaponry, enabling combat against armored vehicles, aircraft, drones and light maritime targets.
Technical characteristics of the H145M
The H145M is equipped with two Turbomeca Arriel 2E-motors, digital FADEC-engine management and Helionix-the avionics package, which includes a four-axis autopilot and significantly reduces the crew’s workload. The manufacturer also highlights the helicopter’s low acoustic signaturewhich is considered to be 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 Cypruswhere it operates in various military and security mission profiles.
Source and images: X @AirbusHeli | @AirbusHeli | @Defensagob | @EjercitoTierra | @Armada_esp | @EjercitoAire. This content was prepared with the help of AI and reviewed by the editors.
