The BHELA I and the EC-665 Tiger HAD-E attack helicopters of the Spanish Army

The Army's Airmobile Forces (FAMET) have an attack helicopter unit based in Almagro (Ciudad Real).

Spain buys 100 military helicopters from Airbus, including 50 H145Ms for the FAMET
The equipment carried by a pilot of an EC-665 Tiger attack helicopter of the Spanish Army

The 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion (BHELA I) began operations in 1979, eventually operating a total of 45 MBB Bö-105 helicopters by 1983, flying armed versions of a multi-purpose helicopter also used in the civilian market. In 2003, Spain acquired new attack helicopters for the FAMET: the EC-665 Tiger, an aircraft specifically designed for attack missions.

The first three EC-665 Tiger HAP (Support and Protection Helicopter) helicopters arrived in 2007. They were equipped with a 30mm cannon, 68mm SNEB unguided rockets, and Mistral air-to-air missiles. The BHELA I received a total of six EC-665 Tiger HAP helicopters, all manufactured in Marignane, France. They have now been retired from service and are being used for the development of the Tiger Mk III and for obtaining spare parts.

In 2013, BHELA I began receiving the EC-665 Tiger HAD-E (Attack and Destruction Helicopter), a version with more powerful engines, more armor, Spike ER air-to-surface missile launchers, and 70mm rocket launchers. BHELA I received 18 Tiger HAD-E helicopters, all of them manufactured at the Airbus Helicopters facilities in Albacete.

The EC-665 Tiger has two crew members: a pilot and a gunner. This model has an unusual seating arrangement for attack helicopters, with the gunner sitting in the rear (offering better visibility) and the pilot in the front. The crew of the Spanish EC-665 Tiger uses Thales TopOw helmets, high-tech devices that integrate night vision.

The EC-665 Tiger carries its 30mm GIAT 30 cannon in the lower part of the nose, and the rest of its weapons on two wing-like structures located on either side of the fuselage. In addition to the aforementioned armament, these wing-like structures allow for the carrying of two external fuel tanks, extending the aircraft's range, as the EC-665 Tiger lacks in-flight refueling probes.

The EC-665 Tiger can reach a maximum speed of 315 km/h. It has a service ceiling of 4,000 meters. Its combat range (armed) is 800 km, reaching 1,300 km using external fuel tanks. It is a very maneuverable helicopter, as all of us who have seen it in a demonstration have already witnessed.

Spain plans to modernize its 18 EC-665 Tiger HAD-E helicopters to the Mk III version, a process scheduled to begin before 2030. Today, the Spanish Ministry of Defense has indicated that through this modernization program, the Spanish Tigers will be able to interact with drones and expand their secure satellite communications.

The Ministry of Defense has also indicated that BHELA I will also be reinforced by the new Airbus H145M helicopters. It's worth recalling that in December the Spanish government announced the purchase of 50 H145Ms, a model capable of both training and light attack missions.

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Photos: Rubén Somonte / Ministerio de Defensa.