First of five Airbus H135s arrives in UK For Army Air Corps

Early in 2022, it was announced that the UK military had placed an order for five Airbus H135 helicopters, known locally as “Juno“. These are additional to the existing training fleet of 29 operated by the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) from Shawbury.

When announced, few details about the additional five were given, apart from the fact their role would not be training. It is understood that they will replace the last remaining Gazelle helicopters in UK military use, with the latter due for phasing out by the end of March 2024.

The first of the new five arrived in the UK on 28th April, and is in the same black and yellow colours as the DHFS fleet, an example of which is seen in the accompanying image.  It is temporarily on the UK CAA civil register and after a short period with Airbus Helicopters UK at Oxford, will shortly take up a military serial.  The remaining four are expected to follow the same procedures.

The British military also operate seven Airbus H145s, known as “Jupiter“.