First H135Ms delivered to Eslla 012

On 11 December 2023, Airbus Helicopters Spain (AHE) delivered the first two H135M multi-purpose light helicopters to escuadrilla (Eslla) 012 at Rota.

The two helicopters, HE.26-33A/01-1201 #10299 (c/n 2220) and HE.26-35A/01-1202 #10301 (c/n 2224), were already noted with AHE at Albacete in October and November 2023. At Albacete, the H135Ms have made their test flights and Navy Airmen were trained to operate them. Flotilla de Aeronaves de la Armada (FLOAN) pilots delivered the helicopters to the new squadron.

The H135M is a model P3H and is called 'Nival' (call sign and designation of the squadron) with the Spanish Navy. The H135Ms incorporate specific modifications that enable them to operate on ships, such as pressurised fuel filling, manual folding of the main rotor, reinforced anti-corrosion treatment and a float system.

Eslla 012 expects three more H135Ms to be delivered in 2024 and the final two in 2025, making up the unit strenght of seven helicopters. The 'Nivals' will replace the Hughes H369M Cayuse currently operated by Eslla 006. This unit will be deactivated at a later date, most probably in 2025.

Credit photo: Armada (@Armada_esp)