Airbus Helicopters extends exclusive 13-year run with UK police
March 12, 2025
Having supplied all of the UK’s police helicopters for the last 13 years, Airbus Helicopters is to extend its position as the force’s exclusive rotary-wing aircraft provider for up to another six years, beginning with a contract to supply seven new H135s.
With the National Police Air Service (NPAS) currently operating 16 H135s and four H145s from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, the new aircraft constitute the initial phase of the NPAS’ fleet renewal programme.
“The aircraft we currently operate were transferred to NPAS from individual police forces when the national service was formed over 13 years ago and, as such, they are some of the oldest and most-flown aircraft of their type in any UK fleet,” explained NPAS chief operating officer and accountable manager Chief Superintendent Vicki White. Overall, the NPAS receives over 100 calls for air support each day.
“We are extremely proud to have been the sole provider of NPAS’ helicopters since its formation and we greatly appreciate the continued confidence it is showing by awarding Airbus Helicopters its first fleet renewal contract,” added interim managing director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK Richard Atack. “It is a great honour or us to continue playing this critical role in the nation’s security”.
The new aircraft will be equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics system, described by airbus as one “which enhances safety and operational effectiveness by markedly reducing pilot workload,” with one unit initially used to train NPAS pilots on the new system.
