On Thursday, October 26, the Spanish Navy took delivery of the first AIRBUS H135 P3H helicopter of the total of seven that, over the next two years, will be incorporated into the #12th Aircraft Flotilla Squadron (FLOAN).
The first of the 7 H135s acquired by the Navy, within the contract signed at the end of 2021 for 36 H135s for the Spanish Ministry of Defense, was delivered yesterday as scheduled. This H135 will be part of the newly created Twelfth Squadron of the Aircraft Flotilla (whose crest is a large white owl) and its main missions will consist of training operations and utility flights.
The H135 Joint Program Office of the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM), transferred the helicopter to the Navy at the Airbus Helicopters Spain facility in Albacete. The transfer of the second H135 is scheduled for November 30, also in Albacete, and the flight of both aircraft to the Rota Naval Base on December 11. During the six weeks that the first “Nival” will remain in Albacete, this helicopter will perform training flights with the pilots of the Twelfth Squadron.
The AIRBUS H135 P3H of the Spanish Navy incorporate exclusive modifications that enable them to operate on ships, such as pressure refueling, manual folding of the main rotor, reinforced anti-corrosion treatment and float system. In addition, they have a cabin compatible with Night Vision Goggles, weather and surface radar, electro-optical system (FLIR), side crane, barycentric hook, auxiliary fuel tanks, fast-rope system and aero-evacuation kit (MEDEVAC); all of which gives these H135 P3H a great operational flexibility.
The H135 P3H is the first AIRBUS product to enter service in the Spanish Navy, standing out for its advanced avionics and easy maintenance. In the first half of 2024, the H135s will be able to begin naval testing, including take-off from ships, with the goal of reaching Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by the end of 2024.
With the incorporation of these aircraft, the Twelfth Squadron will bring a state-of-the-art aeronautical training capability to the “CN Cardona” Naval Air Training School (EDAN) and is expected to soon be able to generate versatile and highly available Air Embarkable Air Units (UNAEMB) and Detached Air Units (UNADEST).
