On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Spain’s government procurement platform Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) published an announcement from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism regarding the approval of government decree no. 848/2025. The decree includes, among other measures, the acquisition of six Airbus H175 medium multirole helicopters under the HACES program (Programa Helicóptero Multipropósito) for the transport of the country’s highest-ranking officials.
H175 / Photo: Airbus Helicopters
According to the justification of the request, the helicopters will be ordered from Airbus Helicopters España SAU (part of the European Airbus Helicopters within Airbus Defence and Space) by the Ministry of Defense for the Spanish Air and Space Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio). They will be assigned to the 402nd Squadron of the 48th Wing (402 Escuadrón, Ala 48), based at Cuatro Vientos Air Base near Madrid, where they will replace the currently operated four Eurocopter AS332M1 Super Puma (military designation: HT.21A) and two Eurocopter AS532UL Cougar (HT.27). The HACES program was launched in 2022.
The 402nd Squadron is responsible for the transport of dignitaries, including the Royal Household, the Presidency, the Vice Presidency, government ministries, and members of other official organizations. It also cooperates in the training of 803rd Squadron crews of the 48th Wing.
The fleet renewal aims to introduce the latest technologies to meet new and upcoming regulatory requirements, as well as to incorporate the most recent safety standards, thereby enhancing mission capabilities and strengthening the roles assigned to the Air and Space Force in support of state operations. The program also includes operational qualification for real-world missions in a short timeframe, integration with the relevant logistics structure, and the installation of secure communications and navigation systems for military use.
Spain will thus become the first military user of the H175, which has been operated only by companies and public safety institutions until now. In its VIP configuration, the helicopter will feature a soundproofed cabin, individual air-conditioning, and satellite communications.
In service since 2015, the H175 belongs to the super-medium class (7-ton) of helicopters, combining long range and high payload with smooth flight characteristics, making it an optimal solution for a wide range of land and maritime mission profiles, including disaster relief, search and rescue, and other public service operations, as well as crew training and private or business aviation. By September of last year, 65 H175 helicopters had been delivered, accumulating more than 240,000 flight hours (the first Airbus H175 for public security services was delivered in Canton).
It is worth noting that the H175 is also produced under license by the Chinese state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) as the Avicopter AC352 (military designation: Z-15), equipped with indigenous WZ-16 turboshaft engines (whereas the original H175 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E engines).
The militarized H175M variant was initially offered in the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) program. Still, only competitor Leonardo UK submitted a final offer, with the AW149 model already familiar in Poland. Lockheed Martin UK also chose not to submit a final offer with the S-70M Black Hawk.
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