Spanish Hughes H369s retired
The time has come for Spain’s Hughes H369M (locally known under the designation of HS.13). On 13 June 2023, the Escuadrilla 6 (Esc.006 or Sixth Helicopter Squadron) of the Arma Aeréa de la Armada (Spanish Navy Aircraft Flotilla) at Rota Naval Air Base carried out its last operational flight before its official farewell.
Since the summer of 1989 a total of fifteen of these agile helicopters was used, four of which were written off in these years.
The successor of the Hughes H369 in the Arma Aeréa de la Armada will be the Airbus H135. Seven of these modern helicopters are still on order, the first one is expected to be delivered in October 2023. As far Scramble knows, the H135s will not be operated by Esc.006, but will be flown by a new squadron, Esc.012.
Other helicopters operated by the Spanish Navy include AgustaBell AB212+ (locally known as the HA.18) and two versions of the Sikorsky SH-60. The 'Bravo' version is known as the HS.23 while the 'Foxtrot' is known as the HT.23. Many of these helicopters are deployed on the ships of the Spanish Navy. An overview of its inventory can be found in the Scramble orbat, here.
Credit photos: Agustin de la Poza (@AgustinLowpozi on Twitter)