Airbus Delivers First Standard 3 NH90 Helicopter to Spain: Albacete, Spain – A significant milestone in Spain’s military aviation modernization has been reached with Airbus Helicopters’ delivery of the first NH90 helicopter in the advanced Standard 3 configuration to the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM). The handover took place at Airbus’s facility in Albacete and marks the beginning of deliveries from the second batch of 23 NH90s destined for the Spanish Armed Forces.
This second batch includes 16 Standard 3 configured helicopters, with ten earmarked for the Spanish Army Air Mobile Forces (FAMET) and six for the Air and Space Force. The Spanish Navy will also receive seven navalized variants. Deliveries are scheduled to continue from December 2024 through 2028, progressively enhancing the capabilities of all three branches.
Notably, this delivery to the Spanish Air and Space Force marks the first NH90 in the Standard 3 configuration. This upgraded version features enhanced communication systems with improved encryption, greater operational safety features, and a range of system optimizations designed to maximize performance and interoperability.
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The Spanish Navy is also on the cusp of receiving its first NH90 in the tactical transport version (MSPT). The aircraft is currently completing its Type Certificate process with the Spanish Airworthiness Authority and is already stationed in Albacete awaiting final delivery to the DGAM in the coming weeks. Demonstrating their commitment to rapid integration, Spanish Navy personnel from the 14th Squadron have already commenced training at the Albacete plant to prepare for operations with their new aircraft.
Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain, emphasized the importance of this delivery: “We are proud to be supporting our armed forces with these new state-of-the-art NH90s that will create a standardised modern fleet across all three armed forces. We have contributed to these benchmark airborne forces with a helicopter that offers a world-class operational capability to the Spanish Armed Forces. The upcoming addition of the NH90 in the Spanish Navy is a definitive step in the modernisation and Airbus Helicopters will be ready to respond to the needs of the Spanish customer.”
The MSPT variant destined for the Spanish Navy will significantly enhance the fleet’s strategic projection capabilities. Key enhancements include a reinforced landing gear, an increased maximum take-off weight of up to 11 tonnes, and an automatic main rotor blade and rear fuselage folding system, crucial for shipboard operations.
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The NH90 has established itself as a versatile and reliable platform globally. To date, 523 NH90s have been delivered to 13 different countries, accumulating nearly 420,000 flight hours. In Spain, the FAMET currently operates 15 NH90s, known as ‘Sarrios’, while the Spanish Air and Space Force has six NH90 ‘Lobo’ in service. Both have recently been involved in relief efforts following the severe weather caused by the Dana storm in Valencia, showcasing their adaptability and utility in real-world scenarios.
The NH90 program is a collaborative effort spearheaded by NHIndustries (NHI), a joint venture formed by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and GKN Fokker. NHI is responsible for the design, manufacturing, and support of the NH90 helicopter, providing advanced rotary-wing solutions to a global customer base. The delivery of the first Standard 3 NH90 to Spain represents a significant step forward in the modernization of the Spanish Armed Forces and reinforces the ongoing success of the NH90 program worldwide.
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