Airbus delivers first two NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters to Spanish Navy

Airbus Helicopters has officially delivered the first two NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters to the Spanish Navy from its Albacete facility, the company announced on 29 May 2025.

The two helicopters, which are Multi-Role Support Transport (MRST) variants, are the first of seven navalised NH90s acquired as part of the second batch of Spain’s NH90 programme, which totals 23 aircraft.

The MSPT variant of the NH90 is specifically designed to meet the rigorous operational requirements of the Spanish Navy for amphibious tactical transport. Key enhancements include a reinforced landing gear, specific naval communications and navigation equipment as well as automatic folding systems for the main rotor blades and rear fuselage, optimising the helicopter for shipboard operations. These features will enable the NH90 to transport up to 20 fully equipped troops or a light vehicle, and conduct instrument flight rules (IFR) operations with a single pilot, even in challenging night-time conditions and adverse weather.

“The delivery of the first NH90 MSPT helicopters is proof of the strong collaboration between the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM), the Spanish Navy, and Airbus Helicopters,” Fernando Lombo, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Thanks to this excellent co-operation, we’ve been able to conduct the training of navy crews at our Albacete base, ensuring the helicopters can enter service at Rota Naval Base this summer, as planned for the navy’s operational readiness. All our teams remain fully mobilised to ensure a smooth entry into service. Congratulations to the new operator.”

With this delivery, all three Spanish armed services – the Spanish Army, the Spanish Air and Space Force and now the Spanish Navy – have NH90s in their fleets.

On 13 May 2025 the Spanish Ministry of Defence and Airbus Helicopters signed a framework agreement for the implementation of the Spanish National Helicopter Plan, which foresees a further expansion of NH90 fleets for the Spanish armed forces.

Airbus Helicopters has a 62.5% share in NHIndustries, which makes the NH90, with the other owners being Leonardo (32%) and Fokker Aerostructures (5.5%).

The NH90 is a medium, twin-engine helicopter developed in the 1990s in response to NATO requirements for a helicopter that could perform both battlefield and naval missions. The NH90 programme stands as currently the largest military helicopter project in Europe and has delivered around 600 aircraft to the armed forces of 14 countries, although some users have suffered delivery delays, technical issues, high operational costs and low availability rates.