Spanish MoD receives more NH90, H215 and Tiger HAD/E helicopters

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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Spain
 
 
Spanish MoD receives more NH90, H215 and Tiger HAD/E helicopters
 
By Nathan Gain

Dolores Cospedal, the Spanish Defense Minister, and Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, yesterday signed the handover certificate for two Tiger HAD/E attack helicopters and one NH90 TTH for the Spanish Army; and two H215s for the Spanish Air Force.
     
Spanish MoD signs for more NH90 H215 and Tiger HAD E helicopters 640 001A FAMET NH90 TTH tactical helicopter
(Credit: Spanish Army)
     
"We celebrate our 10-year presence in Albacete and strengthen our industrial footprint in Spain with the signature for two H215s for the Spanish Air Force as well as two HAD/E Tigers and an NH90 for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force," said Airbus Helicopters on its Twitter account.

This is a special day that "marks one more step in the constant effort to equip our Armed Forces with the best possible material," said Defense Minister María Dolores Cospedal, adding that this material meets the requirements set by the Spanish Army.

Defense is a "key sector", pointed out Cospedal indicating that "for every euro invested in the defense industry, the return is 2.5 euros".


Since the arrival of Airbus in Albacete in 2007, around 500 direct jobs have been generated, with production of nine NH-90 helicopters, 18 Tigers and a hundred NH-90 front fuselages for Spanish and foreign contracts.

During the ceremony, Faury has announced that the Albacete plant will start working on new models following important change in Airbus Helicopters portfolio.

The Tiger HAD (Helicoptero de Apoyo y Destrucción in Spanish) version is a upgraded variant of the Tiger HAP better suited for operations in hot environments. It features 14% more engine power due to the Enhanced MTR390 engines and a better ballistic protection. Spain ordered 24 of the HAD variant in December 2004, with the first two delivered in 2014. The first Tiger HAD/E in Block 2 configuration was delivered to the Spanish Army on December 2016.

The Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET) plans to purchase 22 NH90 TTHs and 18 Tiger HAD/E attack helicopters, while the Spanish Air Force currently flies 11 H215 helicopters for transport and CSAR missions.

     
Spanish MoD signs for more NH90 H215 and Tiger HAD E helicopters 640 002The first Tiger HAD/E Block II delivered to the Spanish Army
(Credit: Spanish Army)