The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has ordered two additional Airbus H135 helicopters, expanding its fleet renewal programme to a total of nine aircraft. The order is part of the six-year framework agreement signed in 2025 with BlueLight Commercial, under which Airbus is the exclusive helicopter supplier for NPAS.
The announcement follows the arrival of the first two H135s in the UK in April, where they are undergoing extensive police-specific customisation. The new helicopters are scheduled to arrive at Airbus’ Oxford facility in 2028 before being equipped with mission systems for operational service.
The aircraft will feature Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite, which is designed to enhance safety and reduce pilot workload. NPAS pilots are already receiving training on the new system.
NPAS currently operates a fleet of 20 Airbus helicopters—16 H135s and four H145s—from 14 bases, providing airborne support to the 43 police forces across England and Wales. Airbus also maintains and supports the fleet, which is among the world’s most intensively operated police helicopter fleets.
The H135 is a widely used light twin-engine helicopter, with more than 1,470 aircraft in service worldwide, accumulating over eight million flight hours with more than 325 operators.