Airbus remains on track to deliver seven specially adapted helicopters to the Spanish Navy as part of a wider programme which will see 23 NH90s supplied to the Spanish Armed Forces.
As per a recent Airbus press statement, it handed over two MSPT — Multi-Role Support Transport — tactical transport helicopters to the Armada at the end of last month. The helicopter is produced by NHIndustries (NHI), a joint venture formed by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and GKN Fokker.
The aircraft have been specially adapted to transport up to 20 fully equipped troops or a light vehicle, and to be flown under IFR (instrument flight rules) conditions with a single pilot day or night, and in adverse weather.
The helicopter also features folding main rotor blades and rear fuselage for more compact storage, optimising it for shipboard operations, and boasts enhanced navigational systems. It features reinforced landing gear and has a maximum take-off weight capacity of 11 tonnes.
The new helicopters just delivered to the Armada are the first two of a total of seven NH90s which are due to be supplied to the Spanish Navy under the terms of the contract, with delivery of all 23 airframes to the Spanish Armed Forces scheduled to be completed by the end of 2028.
Of the remaining 23 NH90 helicopters, ten will equip the Spanish Army Air Mobile Forces (FAMET), and six will go to the Air and Space Force.
The NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter being operated by 11 other nations as well as Spain: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, and Sweden. More than 500 airframes have already been sold, and it remains in production.
Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain, commented: “The delivery of the first NH90 MSPT helicopters is proof of the strong collaboration between the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM), the Spanish Navy, and Airbus Helicopters.”
He added: “Thanks to this excellent cooperation, we’ve been able to conduct the training of Navy crews at our Albacete base, ensuring the helicopters can enter service at Rota Naval Base this summer, as planned for the Navy’s operational readiness. All our teams remain fully mobilised to ensure a smooth entry into service.”
Spain is also considering adding to its NH90 fleet under the new Spanish National Helicopter Plan, a framework agreement signed between Airbus and the Spanish Ministry of Defence last month.
- You can read more details on the Airbus website
