First Jupiter HC.Mk 2s for UK MoD
May 14, 2025
The first of six Airbus H145 helicopters (ZZ145) that will serve in Brunei and Cyprus has been handed over to the UK MoD after undergoing the modifications required to support UK troops overseas at Airbus Helicopters UK in Oxford.
The first aircraft was accepted from Richard Atack, Managing Director at Airbus Helicopters UK at Airbus’s Oxford site by Group Captain Rob Hart, the Senior Responsible Owner for the H145.
Gp Capt Hart 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 No.84 Squadron and No.667 Squadron 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. We look forward to fielding the fleet for training later this year and working with Airbus over the years to come as they continue to support the aircraft in service.”
Test and evaluation of the helicopter is now underway at MoD Boscombe Down, including flight trials.
The H145 is already a trusted platform for UK Defence. It is flown in Jupiter HT.Mk 1 quise 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.
The new aircraft were ordered by DE&S a little over a year ago after the decision was taken to take the Brunei and Cyprus tasks out of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement, and to procure the six H145s instead. It was said that: “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.”
This £122 million procurement of the Jupiter HC.Mk 2 by DE&S created around 20 new engineering jobs, and around 250 staff based at Oxford Kidlington Airport have worked to ensure that the helicopters are fit for military service.
Air Commodore Gareth Bryant, DE&S Head Helicopters 2, said: “With the decision to retire the Puma HC.Mk 2 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. We are delighted the first of these impressive new aircraft has now been delivered to commence test and evaluation in what has been a truly successful joint team effort. We look forward to the continued joint success of the programme and supporting the aircraft together in theatre for years to come.”
For many years the Brunei task (supporting British Army jungle training) was undertaken by the Bell 212 ‘Griffin’ AH.Mk 1/AH.Mk 2, while the Cyprus SAR and UN support task was undertaken by the Bell 412 Griffin HAR.Mk 2. In the interim, these were replaced by the Puma HC.Mk 2, until the Puma’s early retirement at the end of March 2025. In Cyprus, a pair of Chinooks have been deployed, at least for the duration of the 2025 fire-fighting season, while the MoD will not confirm what has taken over the Brunei task from the Puma.
The H145s will fulfil the operational requirements previously carried out by the Puma HC.Mk 2s from 2026. They will be flown by the RAF’s No.84 Squadron in Cyprus and No.667 Squadron of the Army Air Corps in Brunei, the aircraft will primarily be used to support aerial firefighting and jungle training respectively. They will be “almost exclusively” maintained by Airbus Helicopters UK in Cyprus and Brunei.
Richard Atack, the Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters UK, said that: “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.”
