First Ala 78 Airbus H135 delivered
On 9 May 2023, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first H135 to the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio (EdA, Spanish Air and Space Force). The H135s will be operated by Ala 78 at Granada/Armilla.
According to Airbus Helicopters, the H135 was delivered six months ahead of schedule and will facilitate crew training with Ala 78.
The H135, in full markings and registered HE.26-32A (#10284) was coded 78-32. This code was previously worn by a Hughes H269A-1 from the same unit.
In December 2021, Scramble Magazine first reported on the signing of an order for 36 H135s. From this order, eleven H135s will go to the Spanish Air Force as replacement for the eight Sikorsky S-76Cs used by 781 Escuadrón at Granada/Armilla and seven will go to the Arma Aeréa de la Armada (Armada, Spanish Navy) as replacement for the Hughes H369M.
The helicopters are used for advanced pilot training. The other eighteen will go to Guardia Civil and the National Police.
Photo by Airbus Helicopters