The Helicopter Company orders eight additional Airbus H145s

Airbus Helicopters and The Helicopter Company (THC) in Saudi Arabia have announced a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters at Farnborough International Airshow. The helicopters are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028, and fall under the historic framework agreement signed between THC and Airbus at Verticon in 2024. The original framework agreement between THC and Airbus included up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types set to be delivered over the next three to five years. The order reflects THC’s disciplined approach to fleet optimisation and its forward-looking growth strategy. By planning deliveries across a structured two-year window, THC will ensure seamless availability for integration of new aircraft into its operations. The H145s will support THC’s expanding range of services, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and other mission-critical operations across the Kingdom and beyond. “The additional order of H145s reinforces the dynamic partnership we have developed with Airbus over the past six years,” said Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC. “By investing in a fleet that is optimised, agile and future-ready, THC is strengthening our ability to anticipate and meet our customers’ evolving needs while supporting the Company’s next phase of development. The eight additional H145s will help to enhance our operational capabilities and position THC to further extend our footprint beyond the Kingdom, reinforcing our standing as both a regional and local leader and an increasingly prominent global player in aviation.” “We are honoured to further deepen our partnership with The Helicopter Company through this additional commitment for eight H145s. This agreement is a testament to the trust THC places in our multi-mission platforms to support the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H145 has already proven its excellence in Saudi Arabia’s demanding ‘hot and high’ conditions, and we are proud and we are proud to see the growing number of H145s powering THC’s operations as they scale their world-class services,” he added. UK National Police Air Service orders two additional Airbus H135s (PHOTO: Airbus Helicopters) The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has placed an order for an additional two H135 helicopters, bringing the total fleet renewal programme to nine H135s. The firm order, which follows the arrival of the first two fleet renewal aircraft at Airbus Helicopters in the UK in April for extensive policing customisation, comes under the original 2025 Framework Contract signed with the BlueLight Commercial procurement agency, which confirms Airbus as the exclusive supplier of helicopters for NPAS for up to six years. “These aircraft will provide a modern, resilient and effective capability for policing, supporting our crews as they respond to incidents, assist officers on the ground and protect the public. Programmes of this scale are only possible through the dedication and professionalism of many people working behind the scenes. I would like to thank colleagues across NPAS, Airbus and BlueLight Commercial, whose expertise and commitment have helped bring us to this important point. Together with our partners, we are building a fleet that will serve policing and the public for many years to come, ensuring NPAS remains ready to meet the evolving demands of operational policing,” said Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney, NPAS Accountable Manager. “Building on decades of UK design and customisation expertise, Airbus Helicopters in the UK will play a key role in helping to bring the UK’s police helicopter fleet to a best-in-class standard, equipped with the latest security and policing technology,” said Richard Atack, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK. NPAS currently operates 16 H135 and four H145 helicopters from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. Airbus Helicopters in the UK additionally provides maintenance and support for the NPAS fleet which includes the most intensively used police helicopters in the world. The new helicopters, which will arrive at Airbus’ Oxford site in 2028 ahead of their completion to NPAS’ configuration, will be equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics system, new to NPAS pilots who are already conducting training and familiarisation flights with the system which enhances safety and operational effectiveness by markedly reducing pilot workload. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]