2023: H135s bought to replace Army Gazelle helicopters in Northern Ireland Ulster mothballed....

[Stratofreighter]

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 41.article

Helicopters
UK mothballs H135s bought to replace Gazelle helicopter fleet

UK procurement officials are facing awkward questions
over acquisition policy
after it emerged that a fleet of Airbus Helicopters H135s purchased
as replacements for the British Army’s elderly Gazelles
has been mothballed before ever seeing active use.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in October 2021 awarded Airbus Helicopters
a contract for the “procurement of aircraft”,
later confirmed to be for five H135 light-twins, all of which were delivered in 2022.

H135s were due to replace elderly Gazelle fleet

Acquired under a requirement known as ‘Project Matcha’,
the helicopters were due to replace the Gazelles being flown in Northern Ireland.

However, the H135s have never seen operational service
and are instead being placed into long-term storage,
two sources with knowledge of the matter have confirmed.

This is due to the improved security situation in Northern Ireland
which has removed the requirement for helicopter flights, the sources indicate.

Defence officials are now considering a range of options for the H135s,
which could include a sale or lease back to Airbus Helicopters
or a transfer to the National Police Air Service, which already operates H135s.

The cost of the H135s has not been disclosed,
nor if they have had any mission equipment installed.

The MoD declines to comment.

[patrick dirksen]

Any idea which aircraft (serials) this is about? I only know about the Juno HT.1s that are used at Shawbury. Would seem logical they are used to supplement the fleet there anyway.

[michel N]

Any idea which aircraft (serials) this is about? I only know about the Juno HT.1s that are used at Shawbury. Would seem logical they are used to supplement the fleet there anyway.

These 5 helicopters don’t have military serials allocated yet. They’re registered as
G-CMIR, G-CMIS, G-CMIT, G-CMIU, G, CMIV.

[patrick dirksen]

OK, thanks.

[witje]

Any idea which aircraft (serials) this is about? I only know about the Juno HT.1s that are used at Shawbury. Would seem logical they are used to supplement the fleet there anyway.

These 5 helicopters don’t have military serials allocated yet. They’re registered as
G-CMIR, G-CMIS, G-CMIT, G-CMIU, G, CMIV.

My guess: ZM533-ZM537

[Canberra TT.18]

Any idea which aircraft (serials) this is about? I only know about the Juno HT.1s that are used at Shawbury. Would seem logical they are used to supplement the fleet there anyway.

These 5 helicopters don’t have military serials allocated yet. They’re registered as
G-CMIR, G-CMIS, G-CMIT, G-CMIU, G, CMIV.

My guess: ZM533-ZM537

Well that's a pure guess.
Non have been allocated as very good informed UKserals mentioned on an other forum.

They are simply not needed anymore for the tasks in N-Ireland they were purchased for. Result storage and a search for a possible other task or a buyer.

For now they simply have a civil registration.