The Spanish Army received its first NH90 tactical transport helicopter and its first two Tiger HAD-E attack helicopters, all assembled in Spain by Airbus Helicopters at Albacete, the manufacturer announced on December 18. Meanwhile, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first two Tiger HAD Block 2 versions to the French Army, from its main facility at Marignane in southern France.

The Spanish armed forces are due to receive 22 NH90s between now and 2021. They will use them for troop transport, search and rescue, personnel recovery and medical evacuation. The NHIndustries consortium has now delivered 230 NH90s, including 51 this year. At least another 265 will be built, according to Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Fleury, speaking at a media briefing earlier this year. The front fuselages for all NH90s are produced at Albacete.

The Spanish Army has ordered 24 Tigers. The first six were delivered previously in the HAP (French acronym for “support and protection”) configuration, and they made a satisfactory deployment to Afghanistan in 2013, according to Airbus Helicopters. The HAD version (French acronym: support and destruction) offers a new turboshaft with 14 percent more power; improved optronics via a roof-mounted sight; IFF; a new electronic warfare system; and the ability to fire Hellfire or Spike laser-guided air-to-ground missiles. The rear fuselages for all Tigers are produced at Albacete.

The Block 2 version of the Tiger HAD offers additional enhancements, according to Airbus Helicopters. These comprise improved targeting accuracy for rockets; external fuel tanks; digital communications and an extension of the flight envelope within which the Hellfire or Spike missiles can be fired, conferring longer range. These newest Tigers are also “navalized” to allow maritime operations. The French Army previously received six HAD Block 1s and before that, 40 HAP versions of the Tiger. The manufacturer said it has now delivered a total of more than 110 Tigers to France, Germany, Spain and Australia.