The Spanish Ministry of Defense, through the Directorate General for Armaments and Equipment (Digam), has award approved of a contract to Airbus Helicopters España worth €1.975 billion for the implementation of the program Light Multirole Helicopters (Helipo).
The contract provides for the purchase of 50 H145M helicoptersas well as the logistical support required for the initial commissioning of the aircraft.
The decision was made via direct awardarguing that Airbus Helicopters Spain is the only company technically capable of carrying out the project. According to the Ministry of Defense, improvements have also been negotiated that are considered strategically important for public administration.
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The budget will cover a period of ten years be carried out, with a start in the following financial year and a planned completion in 2035. The financial schedule divides the funds into annual installments, with expenditures in between €60 million and €300 millionin line with the different phases of acquisition, integration and logistical support of the program.
Structural change in military aviation
The Helipo program is considered one of the most important modernization initiatives Airmobile Forces of the Army (Famet)the aviation component of the Spanish army. The proposal goes beyond simple aircraft replacement and aims to… structural transformation of the fleetintroducing a single, modern and interoperable platform.
The H145M will gradually change the light EC-135-replace helicopters, which have been in service since 2005 and are approaching the end of their service life, and at the same time the operational gap bridge between the attack helicopters Tigre and the medium transport helicopters NH90.
Why the H145M was chosen
According to Spanish military assessments, the war in Ukraine has shown that conventional conflict is a large volume of resources require, which is difficult to sustain when relying solely on highly sophisticated platforms with high operating costs and limited quantities.
In this context, the H145M was selected because it more flexibility, lower operating costs in high availability offers, allowing missions to be carried out that are not suitable for the Tigre, which is aimed at heavy combat, nor for the NH90, which is considerably larger and more expensive.
Three versions for different missions
Of the 50 planned aircraft, the H145M will be in three main configurations to be purchased:
- Emergency aidintended for the Military Emergency Service (UME)
- Education and training
- Light multirole attackequipped with it HForceweapon system
This latest 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 and transforms the helicopter into a light attack platform. A crucial part of this system will are produced in Albacetestrengthening the involvement of the Spanish industry in the programme.
The system includes a multirole mission computera helmet-mounted rifle scope (HMSD), electro-optical sensors for target acquisition and interfaces for different types of armaments, making it possible to combat armored vehicles, aircraft, drones and light maritime targets.
Technical features of the H145M
The H145M is equipped with two Turbomeca Arriel 2Emotors, one digital FADECengine control system and it Helionixavionics package, which includes a four-axis autopilot and significantly reduces crew workload. The manufacturer additionally emphasizes the low acoustic signaturewhich is considered among the lowest in its class.
International users
In addition to Spain, the H145M has already been purchased by Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Thailand, Luxemburg in Cypruswhere he is deployed in a variety 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 editors.
