MoD receives first of six H145s

Above: Members of UK Ministry of Defence and Airbus Helicopters UK in front of the first of the new H145 helicopter fleet at Airbus’ Oxford site.
Courtesy DE&S / Copyright Airbus

The new fleet was ordered by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) a little over a year ago and, at Airbus Helicopters UK in Oxford, has undergone the modifications required to support UK troops overseas.

The H145s will fulfil the operational requirements previously carried out by the Puma HC2s, whose withdrawal from service started in March this year.

Flown by the RAF’s 84 Squadron in Cyprus and 667 Squadron of the Army Air Corps in Brunei, the aircraft will primarily be used to support aerial firefighting and jungle training respectively.

Air Commodore Gareth Bryant, DE&S Head Helicopters 2, said: “With the decision to retire the Puma HC Mk2 after over 50 years of service, the imperative to deliver a replacement helicopter for Brunei and Cyprus increased in importance.

“Already set extremely challenging timescales, the DE&S Multi Helicopter Platform Delivery Team has worked collaboratively with Army Capability and Airbus Helicopters UK to rapidly deliver the first aircraft.”

This £122 million procurement by DE&S created around 20 new engineering jobs and around 250 staff based at Oxford Airport, Kidlington, have worked on ensuring the helicopters are fit for military service. In addition, the aircraft will almost exclusively be maintained by Airbus Helicopters UK in Cyprus and Brunei.

The H145 is already a trusted platform for UK Defence. It is flown at RAF Shawbury and RAF Valley as part of the UK Military Flying Training System (MFTS) to train helicopter aircrew in maritime, mountain and search-and-rescue techniques.

Procuring the H145 rather than commissioning the purchase of a new bespoke aircraft  demonstrates efficiency and value for money through greater commonality in training, support and the supply of spare parts.

The first aircraft was accepted from Airbus Helicopters UK by Group Captain Rob Hart, the Senior Responsible Owner for H145, at Airbus’s Oxford site. Test and evaluation of the helicopter is now underway at MoD Boscombe Down, including flight trials.

Gp Capt Hart, Senior Responsible Owner for H145, said: “The delivery of the first of these versatile aircraft is testament to the outstanding teamwork between UK Armed Forces, DE&S and Airbus Helicopters UK.

“Investment in this exciting capability also reaffirms our commitment to Cyprus and Brunei, where from 2026 the RAF’s 84 Sqn and 667 Sqn of the Army Air Corps will conduct vital tasks in support of Defence requirements.

“H145, or Jupiter HC Mk2 as it will be known in service, will provide aviation support to both locations, in particular enabling jungle warfare training in Brunei and aerial firefighting in Cyprus.”

The H145s are powered by two Safran Arriel 2E turboshaft engines, have a five-blade rotor, fly up to 265kph and have a maximum flying range of 651km.

At 13.64m in length they have a maximum take-off weight of 3,700kg, meaning they’re ideal for the tasks they will be deployed on.

Richard Atack, Managing Director at Airbus Helicopters UK, said: “We are extremely proud to be handing over the first of this additional batch of H145 Jupiter helicopters, fully role-equipped at our Oxford factory barely a year after receiving the order for the aircraft.

“The additional capability provided by the five-blade rotor on the Jupiter HC2 makes it the ideal helicopter to replace the Airbus Puma HC2 in these critical and demanding roles in Cyprus and Brunei.”