Airbus shows the three Spanish versions of the NH90 military helicopter together at last

This Thursday, the Airbus Helicopters factory in Albacete was the scene of the delivery of a new NH90 military helicopter to Spain.

Spanish NH-90 helicopters flying over Scotland with British Apache Guardians
Farewell to the Third Squadron of the Spanish Navy, but not to its AB-212 helicopters

In this case, it is the first NH90 of the Air Force corresponding to Standard 3, the version of the second phase of deliveries of these helicopters for the Spanish Armed Forces. This helicopter joins the six NH90 Lobos already operated by the Air Force in Wing 48, based in Cuatro Vientos (Madrid).

The most interesting thing is that with this release, Airbus has shown together for the first time the three Spanish versions of the NH90, corresponding to the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. We can see them above these lines (from top to bottom) and in the following video published yesterday by Airbus Helicopters:

Together for the first time! Don't miss these special images of 3 NH90s from each of Spain's armed forces.
They were displayed together in Albacete in Spain on the occasion of the delivery of the first Standard 3 #NH90 to the Spanish Air Force. 🚁🪖🇪🇸#MakingMissionsPossible pic.twitter.com/iyGbemMaN8

— Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) December 19, 2024

Here we can see some screenshots from this video. We start with the first NH90 Lobo Standard 3 of the Air Force, with number 803-23 ​​(corresponding to the 803 Squadron of Wing 48) and registration HD.29-23.

Externally, it is easy to distinguish these versions. The Army's NH90 Sarrio are painted in three-colour camouflage, the usual tactical scheme of the FAMET. In turn, the Navy's NH90 is painted in light grey, the low visibility scheme worn by all the planes, helicopters and drones of the Aircraft Flotilla. Finally, the Air Force's NH90 Lobo are painted in medium grey, the usual low visibility scheme of Spanish Air Force aircraft.

This Airbus delivery has been an opportunity to see the first NH90 of the Spanish Navy, still in the certification period before its delivery.

The Spanish naval NH90s will be operated by the 14th Squadron, created in May, and will replace the AB-212 "Gato", retired from service in July of this year.

The Spanish Navy will receive seven NH90s of the MSPT version, a tactical transport version.

One of the most innovative features of the Spanish naval NH90 is that it will have automatic folding of the rotor blades. In addition, as it is a naval version, it has reinforced landing gear compared to other versions.

The Spanish Armed Forces will operate a fleet of 45 NH90s: 26 will be operated by the Army, 12 by the Air Force and 7 by the Navy. So far, the Army has received 16 and the Air Force 7, including the one delivered yesterday.

Currently, the largest operators of the NH90 are Germany (80 units delivered and 140 planned), Italy (67 helicopters delivered and 116 planned) and France (66 units delivered and 135 units planned). Once all the purchased units have been delivered, Spain will be the fourth largest operator of this helicopter.