Spain has received its first Airbus NH90 helicopter in the Standard 3 configuration as part of a batch of 23 helicopters.
The Standard 3 configuration integrates advanced communication systems with enhanced encryption, improved safety features, and several system optimizations.
It includes reinforced landing gear, a maximum take-off weight of 11 tons, and an automatic folding system for the main rotor blades and rear fuselage.
Out of the 23 NH90s delivered, 16 are in the Standard 3 configuration. Of these, 10 will be assigned to the Spanish Army Air Mobile Forces and six to the Spanish Air and Space Force.
The remaining seven aircraft are configured for naval use and will be allocated to the Spanish Navy.
Deliveries are scheduled to continue through the end of this year until 2028.
The NH90 was developed by NHIndustries, a consortium comprising Airbus, Leonardo, and Fokker, and was designed to meet NATO’s standards for land and sea operations.
Previous Acquisitions
Spain currently operates 15 NH90 helicopters alongside several other Airbus aircraft.
Earlier this month, Spain received five new H135 helicopters.
This delivery is part of a 36-aircraft agreement announced in 2021, bringing the country’s total H135 fleet to 100 rotorcraft.
In 2023, Airbus secured a deal to produce 16 C295 military aircraft for Spain, valued at 1.7 billion euros ($1.9 billion).
The C295 planes will be fully designed and built in Spain to boost the armed forces’ capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue missions.