The Spanish Ministry of Defense, through its Directorate General for Armaments and Materiel (DGAM), has formalized the acquisition of 100 helicopters from the European manufacturer Airbus. This major order is part of the National Helicopter Plan announced in May and represents the largest procurement of its kind to date by the DGAM. The investment aims to comprehensively modernize the equipment of the Spanish Armed Forces and strengthen national strategic autonomy in the defense sector. Deliveries will be distributed across four different models, each designed for different operational profiles within the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
The order package includes 13 H135 helicopters, primarily intended for advanced pilot training and light support missions. The largest component is the order for 50 H145M helicopters for the Spanish Army (FAMET). These are designed for tactical tasks, light attack missions using the HForce system, and disaster relief. Additionally, six H175M helicopters will be procured for government flights and the transport of dignitaries to replace aging aircraft belonging to Wing 48. The modernization is rounded out by 31 further NH90 transport helicopters, which will be used for tactical troop transport and special operations by all branches of the armed forces.
Beyond the purely military capacity expansion, the contract has significant industrial policy implications for Spain. Airbus Helicopters plans to develop its Albacete plant into a central European aviation hub. This will create more than 300 highly skilled jobs over the next three years. Albacete will also see the construction of a new adaptation center for military helicopters and an international training center for H145M technicians and pilots. These measures complement the ongoing infrastructure projects for modernizing the Tiger attack helicopter fleet.
Another key focus of the program is the development of digital skills. In collaboration with the University of Albacete and the Castilla-La Mancha Science and Technology Park, a digital campus is being developed. This campus will serve as a center of excellence for cybersecurity and digital tools for the entire Airbus division. Simultaneously, capacities in software development, connectivity, and maintenance engineering at the site are being significantly expanded. Through this integration of production, education, and digital research, Spain is strengthening its position within the European aerospace industry and securing long-term technical support for its military aircraft.