Airbus NH90 for the Spanish Forces

Following the delivery of two NH90 helicopters to the Spanish Navy in May, all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces – the Army, the Air and Space Force, and now the Navy – have NH90s in their fleets. This is the first time that the three military branches have shared the same weapon system. We asked users to share their experiences so far. 

The first NH90 in the Standard 3 configuration was delivered to the Spanish Air and Space Force in December 2024. This delivery, part of the second batch of a contract signed in 2018, marked the starting point for broader efforts to renew and expand the capabilities of the Spanish Armed Forces. Standard 3 includes major protection upgrades, including Mode 5 IFF capability and directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM), as well as more advanced communications and enhanced operational safety. Major Cristina Pampliega, Commander of the 803rd Squadron of the 48th Wing of the Spanish Air Force, welcomed the arrival of the NH90, referring to it as “the future” and calling it “a hugely important generational leap and a profound change that we are excited to be part of. ” 

The Spanish Navy welcomed the NH90s at their base in Rota on July 29. The 14th Aircraft Squadron – created one year earlier with the specific remit of operating the NH90 MSPT variant – had already completed the necessary training in Albacete to prepare for the arrival of the helicopters. "The 60 members of the squadron were as excited as I was when the NH90 helicopters were delivered. We had made extensive preparations and were eager to proceed to the next phase. The Naval Station Rota facilities were ready to accommodate the aircraft, which will be used to carry out troop transport missions and special operations. All in all, we will receive three NH90 helicopters in 2025 and then complete our quota in 2026 with four additional units,” says Frigate Captain Javier Moreno, Commander of the 14th Aircraft Squadron, which forms part of the Navy’s aircraft fleet.

Front-line role in flood relief

When severe flooding hit Valencia in October 2024, the Spanish Armed Forces’ NH90 helicopters played a crucial role in providing assistance. Major Cristina Pampliega recalls the extraordinary technical and human challenges they confronted on the mission: “The day after the floods, we already had an aircraft in Valencia. Our initial priorities were searching for potential victims and flying logistics missions to deliver water and to transport personnel and operational equipment. As the days passed, our role shifted towards reconnaissance of specific zones, including urban areas and the Poyo ravine. We provided essential support in determining where efforts should be directed and identifying the best ways of repairing dams and restoring other infrastructure. It was a tough mission for the crew because it was all so close to home.” 

The Spanish Army also played a key role with the deployment of its own NH90s – nicknamed ‘Sarrios’ – to the region. Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry, Iñaki Ochoa, former member of the 3rd Manoeuvre Helicopter Battalion (BHELMA III), recalls: “Our first task was to rescue people and get them to safety; that was the priority in those initial stages. From the third day onwards, our focus shifted towards transporting personnel and equipment to hard-to-reach areas and carrying out reconnaissance missions to assess damaged infrastructure.” Their efforts were hugely appreciated, as Ochoa attests: “You could see in people’s eyes how grateful they were that we were there. Every little bit of help is welcome when you’re caught up in a disaster of that scale.” 

Overseas deployment

The NH90 has also proven its robustness on missions outside Spanish territory. The international deployment in Mali posed some major challenges, but the helicopters performed exceptionally well, says Lieutenant Colonel Ochoa: “Like any first-time overseas deployment, it required extensive preparation and logistical planning. But once we arrived, the helicopters performed superbly, especially considering the country’s extreme climate. Mali has two seasons – wet and dry – each challenging in its own way. During the wet season we were constantly flying through storms, but the helicopter did a fantastic job thanks to its weather radar. The challenge in the dry season was the dust, which is one of the toughest environments for a helicopter to deal with, but even then, we achieved a very high level of operational readiness.

Assured future

The impact of Spain’s NH90 programme extends far beyond the country’s military capabilities, offering tangible benefits in employment, innovation and strategic autonomy at a national level. Spain makes a vital industrial contribution to the global NH90 fleet, manufacturing all front and centre fuselages and handling pre-assembly work. Currently, around 200 people are employed on NH90-related activities at Airbus Helicopters in Spain, split between Getafe and Albacete, and covering engineering, programmes, MRO and aerostructures. The future of the NH90 programme in Spain is assured. On 13 May 2025, the Spanish Ministry of Defence and Airbus Helicopters signed a framework agreement for the Spanish National Helicopter Plan, which foresees a further expansion of NH90 fleets. Spain’s NH90 programme clearly has a bright future ahead.