First Armada H135M
On 27 October 2023, the first Airbus Helicopter H135M for the Arma Aeréa de la Armada (Spanish Navy) was seen with Airbus Helicopters at Albacete (Spain) performing a local testflight.
The H135M, temporary registered EC-560, also wears the full Armada serial HE.26-35A #10301. The future code of the helicopter, obscured by the stickers with EC-560, will be 01-1202. The new H135Ms will be operated by escuadrilla (Eslla) 012 at Rota.
A second Armada H135M will be made ready this month and after training airmen on the new helicopter, it is expected that these first two will be delivered to Rota.
In total, the Armada will receive seven H135Ms with deliveries planned between October 2023 and October 2025. They will replace the Hughes H369M Cayuse currently operated by Essla 006. This unit will be deactivated at a later date, most probably in 2025. Eslla 012 will occupy the hangar that currently houses Eslla 003 operating the AB212+. This unit will be deactivated on 31 July 2024.
Credit photo: Tono Fernández