Spanish Ministry of Defense through the General Directorate for Armaments and Materiel (Digam) approved the assignment orders of Airbus Helicopters España in value 1.975 billion euros for program implementation Light multipurpose helicopters (Helipo).
The contract includes procurement 50 H145M helicopters as well as the logistical support necessary for their initial commissioning.
The decision was taken in form direct entryon the grounds that Airbus Helicopters Spain is the only company technically qualified to implement the project. According to the Ministry of Defense, additional adjustments considered strategically important for the public administration were also negotiated.
The budget will be implemented for the period ten yearswith commencement in the next fiscal year and scheduled completion in 2035. The financial schedule divides the funds into annual installments with expenses within the range 60 to 300 million eurosin accordance with the individual phases of acquisition, integration and logistical support of the program.
Structural change in the Army Air Force
The Helipo program is considered one of the major modernization initiatives Airmobile Forces of the Army (Famet)aviation components Spanish army. The proposal goes beyond the mere replacement of aircraft and aims to structural transformation of the fleet through the introduction of a single, modern and interoperable platform.
The H145M will gradually replace light helicopters EC-135which have been in service since 2005 and are nearing the end of their service life, and at the same time fills the operative gap between battle helicopters Tigre and medium transport helicopters NH90.
Why the H145M was chosen
According to the assessment of the Spanish military, the war in Ukraine has shown that conventional conflicts require large volume of fundswhich is difficult to sustain with only highly sophisticated platforms with high operating costs and a limited number of pieces.
In this context, the H145M was chosen thanks to higher flexibility, lower operating costs a high availabilitymaking it possible to perform tasks that are not suitable for either the Tigre, which is focused on heavy combat, or 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 purchased in three main configurations:
- Emergency and rescue operationsintended for the Military Emergency Unit (UME)
- Training and education
- Lightweight multi-purpose offensiveequipped with a weapon system HForce
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 missiles, laser-guided missiles, cannons and machine guns, turning the helicopter into a light attack platform. A key part of this system will be produced in Albacetewhich will strengthen the involvement of Spanish industry in the program.
The system includes multipurpose on-board computera helmet-mounted sighting system (HMSD), electro-optical sensors for target acquisition and interfaces for various types of weapons, which allows to engage armored vehicles, aircraft, drones and light naval targets.
Technical characteristics of the H145M
The H145M is equipped with two engines Turbomeca Arriel 2Ea digital engine control system FADEC and avionics package Helionixwhich includes a four-axis autopilot and significantly reduces crew workload. The manufacturer also emphasizes low acoustic footprintconsidered one of the lowest in its class.
International users
In addition to Spain, they have already purchased the H145M Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Thailand, Luxembourg a Cypruswhere the helicopter serves in various profiles of military and security missions.
Source and images: X @AirbusHeli | @AirbusHeli | @Defensagob | @EjercitoTierra | @Armada_esp | @EjercitoAire. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
