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2023-12-10

NH90 Transforms Spain’s Defence Dynamics

Surpassing 10,000 flight hours, the NH90 has revolutionised Spain’s Army and Air Force, elevating capabilities, enhancing fleet efficiency, and ensuring heightened safety. The imminent arrival of the second batch in 2024 will further bolster the Navy, introducing Spain to its most advanced amphibious helicopter to date.

Spain initiated its alliance with the NH90 in 2006 with an initial purchase by the Ministry of Defence. The Spanish Army received 15, the Air Force six, all successfully delivered. In 2018, Spain committed to further modernisation, approving a second batch of 23 NH90s to sustain its fleet of tactical helicopters.

This time, the plan encompasses the creation of seven naval MSPT (Maritime Spanish Tactical Transport Helicopter) versions. These variants aim to empower the Spanish Navy with versatile tactical transport helicopters built to navigate low visibility, adverse weather, and night operations. They are tailored for combat search and rescue (CSAR), medical evacuation, and logistical transport missions as needed.

The initial MSPT customisation phase in Spain, aligned with Ministry of Defence (DGAM) specifications, kicks off in the upcoming weeks.

Significant Gain

The incorporation in 2014 of the NH90 by the Spanish Army, which dubbed it the Sarrio, enabled a momentous gain in effectiveness for tactical transport, aerial assault and special operations in challenging conditions.

General Pablo Muñoz Bermudo, Army Airmobile Forces’ (FAMET) General, shared insights about the NH90’s integration, stating: “The introduction of the NH90 as a high-performance tactical helicopter has allowed a quantum leap in both our capabilities and the safety of army personnel. It has proven itself to be highly reliable in flight in hostile environments, as we recently saw during their deployment in Mali. The FAMET is looking to progressively integrate this helicopter with the army’s other weapons systems in order to provide an effective response on all the missions.”

Additional mission systems have been steadily integrated to enhance its capabilities, including ballistics protection, a roller loading system, 12.7mm machine guns, electronic warfare (EW) systems, rappel and fast rope systems, and a cargo hook.

Six Wolves

The six NH90s stationed at the 48th Wing of the Spanish Air Force in Madrid execute diverse missions, including personnel recovery, combat rescue, and special operations. Their role extends to potential involvement in medical evacuations and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions when required.

“The step up from the Super Puma to the NH90 has been significant in terms of speed (from 120 to 150 knots), load capacity (500 kg more), flight time (up to five hours compared to the 3.5 hours of the Super Puma) and range (430 NM instead of the 220 NM previously without optional equipment),” explains Major Cristina Pampliega, Commander of the 803rd Squadron.

By September’s end, the famed ‘wolves’ of the Spanish Air Force hit 3,000 flight hours. Spanish NH90s are being prepared to take part in the European Union Training Mission in Mali in the near future.

Remarkable Evolution

The inaugural NH90 for the Spanish Navy, the MSPT, marks a monumental leap in amphibious helicopter capability, elevating the navy’s strategic prowess. Stemming from the GSPA (Ground Spain Army) Standard 3 version utilised by the Spanish Army, the MSPT represents a remarkable evolution in maritime capabilities.

Sporting reinforced landing gear and a maximum take-off weight of 11 tonnes, it features an automatic identification system (AIS) for seamless vessel/helicopter tracking. An automatic blade and tail folding system streamline flight deck operations, prioritising onboard technician safety.

Adding to this, the upcoming delivery of the H135 to the navy in autumn will greatly aid training, thanks to its similarity with the NH90’s Helionix avionics system.

Made in Spain

Airbus Helicopters has proposed a national solution to the Spanish Ministry of Defence for the development of the new anti-submarine helicopter for the navy, the NH90 HSPN, which will continue the efforts being made to harmonise the fleets of the three branches of the armed forces.

Aligned with the Defence Industrial Strategy 2023, focusing on fortifying the national defence industry, the HSPN development studies pursue a sovereign approach. Airbus Helicopters takes the lead, coordinating with Spanish defence entities like Indra, Tecnobit, and Navantia to realise this initiative.

As well as ensuring national industrial involvement and support, the HSPN will be a modern, fully tested and certified product that is already used by a number of Spain’s international allies such as Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. It may be deployed by the Spanish Navy in multiple scenarios.

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