Spain has placed orders for 100 Airbus helicopters through the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM), formalizing four contracts under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May 2025, Airbus said on December 18, 2025.
The deal represents the largest helicopter procurement ever carried out by DGAM and covers four different Airbus models intended for all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces, marking a major step in Spain’s rotary-wing modernization effort.
Four helicopter types for the armed forces
Under the agreements, Spain will acquire 13 H135 light twin-engine helicopters, including 12 for the Spanish Air and Space Force and one for the Navy. These aircraft will be used for advanced pilot training, light utility, and observation missions.
The Spanish Army’s Army Airmobile Force (FAMET) will receive 50 H145M helicopters. According to Airbus, their missions will include military pilot training, light attack tasks using the HForce weapon system, light utility roles, and disaster relief. The H145M fleet is expected to complement the Spanish Army’s Tiger attack helicopters rather than replace them.
Spain’s Air and Space Force will also receive six H175M super-medium helicopters for governmental missions, including the transport of authorities. These aircraft will replace older AS 332 Super Puma and AS 532 Cougar helicopters operated by Wing 48.
The fourth component of the order covers 31 NH90 helicopters, allocated to the Army (13), the Air and Space Force (12), and the Navy (6). Airbus said the aircraft, 24 of which are already in service in Spain, will be used for tactical transport, maneuver, and special operations, while completing the Navy’s amphibious warfare helicopter fleet.
Strategic autonomy and industrial impact
“By formalising these contracts, the Ministry of Defence fulfils its commitment to provide our Armed Forces with the latest generation of helicopters that are essential for their operations,” said María Amparo Valcarce García, Spain’s Secretary of State for Defence. She described the investment as strategic and aimed at strengthening national security while supporting Spain’s strategic autonomy in a key European defense sector.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said the contracts represent the concrete implementation of the National Helicopter Plan and a “qualitative shift” in Spain’s military capabilities. He added that the programs would consolidate and expand Airbus Helicopters’ industrial footprint in Spain.
Airbus estimates the plan will generate more than 300 direct jobs over the next three years following the order. The company said its Albacete site will grow with the addition of a new military helicopter customization center and an international training center for H145M pilots and technicians. These facilities will complement ongoing infrastructure investments linked to Spain’s Tiger mid-life upgrade program.
Airbus also plans to reinforce support engineering, software development, connectivity, and maintenance capabilities for Spain’s military helicopter fleet.