Spanish Army Helicopters Take Part in INTECAP 26 Exercise

 

Spanish Army aviation assets have played a central role in the latest edition of the INTECAP 26 exercise, a key training event focused on integrating combat capabilities and refining air assault operations.

The exercise brought together airborne units from the Brigada Paracaidista and aviation elements from the Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra, with the aim of improving interoperability and synchronizing procedures for future high-intensity scenarios.

Rotary-wing platforms were at the core of the exercise. The heavy-lift CH-47F Chinook enabled the rapid deployment of troops and equipment, including artillery, into forward areas. Meanwhile, the EC665 Tiger provided armed escort and close air support, ensuring protection and firepower during air assault operations.

Also participating were the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar helicopters, which contributed to troop transport and tactical mobility, adding another layer of flexibility to the overall operation.

The combination of these platforms highlights the Spanish Army’s focus on air-ground integration. Transport helicopters deliver combat units where needed, while attack helicopters secure the environment and support forces on the ground, enabling coordinated and rapid-response operations.

INTECAP 26 reflects a broader effort by the Spanish Army to enhance readiness for complex missions, particularly those involving rapid deployment and joint operations within a NATO framework.

Spanish Navy ESPS "Juan Carlos I", arrives in Kuwait, for Helicopter Mission In Iraq

AS532 "COUGAR" EJÉRCITO DE TIERRA

SH-3D "SEA KING" ARMADA ESPAÑOLA

SH-3D "SEA KING" ARMADA ESPAÑOLA

AS532 "COUGAR" EJÉRCITO DE TIERRA
Spanish Navy Flagship Aicraft Carrier 'Juan Carlos I', arrived in Kuwait carrying three CH-47D Chinook and two AS-532 Cougar in support of Operation "Inherent Resolve" in Iraq, according EMAD.
The unit will operate out from iraqi city of Taji, carrying out transport missions between, Bagdad, Besmayah and Taji and is under command of Gala Gallego, from Batallón de Helicópteros de Maniobra IV (Bhelma IV).
The Spanish Helicopters will support Spanish Forces deployed in Iraq, and another from International Coalition against Daesh.
Juan Carlos I, is being scorted by ESPS 'Blas de Lezo' Type F-100 frigate.
diariodecadiz
EMADmde
EMADmde

Spanish Army helicopters conduct first trials on board French amphibious ship

Spanish Army helicopters carried out the first onboard compatibility tests with the French Navy on 4 December.
The trials involved a Boeing Chinook, a Eurocopter Cougar, and a Eurocopter Tigre from the army's Air-mobile Force (FAMET), with the helicopters conducting deck landings and take-offs from the Mistral-class amphibious assault (LHD) vessel BPC Dixmude .
janes

Spain To Decrease Military Helicopter Types from 14 to 4

A new helicopter master plan drawn up by the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MdD) envisages the number of different models used by the services being reduced from the current 14 to four by 2040.
Three will be from Airbus Helicopters - the NH90, the H135 (formerly EC135), and the Tiger - while the fourth will be the Boeing Chinook, which will need to be upgraded.
One of the key elements will be the navy version of the NH90, for which the Armada is seeking two variants - one a maritime transport which is not yet available, plus another for anti-submarine operations.
The Hughes 500 is due to be stood down by the Armada from 2018, to be replaced by the H135, while the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea Kings will be modernised to keep them active until the arrival of the hoped-for transport replacement.
The current modernisation programme for the Agusta-Bell AB212 will enable these to keep flying until at least 2030 from the corvette-style Buque de Acción Marítima (BAMs), while the army version of the aircraft is due to be retired by 2017.
As for the army's attack helicopters, the plan says the programme to begin phasing out the MBB Bo-105 will start soon. Now the decision has been taken that the six HAP versions of its replacement, the Tiger, will not be upgraded to the HAD-E Spanish version, from around 2027 onwards the army's airmobile forces (FAMET) will operate just 18 of the latter.
In the case of the Chinook, the MdD's aim is to upgrade from the CH-47D to CH-47F versions, with a programme office being set up to handle the proposed purchase from the United States.
The training helicopters, the Airbus H120 and the Sikorsky S-76C, are due to be taken out of service from around 2027, with the replacement almost certain to be the H135. The recent reductions in the NH90 programme will also mean modernisation programmes will be needed for the army's Airbus Super Puma and Cougar.
janes

Airbus completes EC135 deliveries to Spain

The last of eight Airbus EC135 helicopters ordered for the Spanish Army's air-mobile force (FAMET) in December 2013 was handed over on 5 February at the company's Albacete factory.
The long-delayed deal was eventually reformulated to include a logistics support package for the aircraft - the first helicopter of its kind to be supplied for military use.
The same model is already widely used by Spain's paramilitary and national police forces as well as regional medical services, with more than 60 being operated in total.
All the military versions are being used by FAMET for training, including tactical missions and night flying, before the pilots move on to the Airbus AS532 Cougar, Airbus Tigre (Tiger) attack helicopter, and NHIndustries NH90.
janes

Albania receives final Cougar helicopter

Albania has received its fourth and final Airbus AS 532AL Cougar.
The country originally ordered the Cougar helicopters for the Albanian Air Brigade in December 2009, with the fourth aircraft being delivered in a troop transport configuration.
Albania joined NATO in 2009, and has been making efforts to replace older Soviet-designed equipment..
The 2009 deal, worth EUR78.6 million (USD102.7 million), was for five Cougars in four different configurations: two troop transports, one medical evacuation (medevac), one search and rescue (SAR), and one VIP transportation helicopter.
The VIP transport configured Cougar was originally planned to be the first delivered to Albania. However it crashed during a test flight in July 2012, killing all six on board. Albania however opted not to receive another VIP Cougar in its place, choosing instead to receive two EC145 light twin-engine light-utility helicopters in a disaster management configuration. These two EC145 helicopters are expected to be delivered to Albania in the second half of 2015.
janes

US Marines, Spanish pilots conduct bilateral carrier landings

As part of a larger effort to increase international cooperation, U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response conducted a bilateral carrier qualification with their Spanish counterparts from Maneuver Helicopter Battalion #4 (BHELMA IV) aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).
The carrier qualification gave the pilots from SP-MAGTF Crisis Response and BHELMA IV a dedicated opportunity to practice fundamental skills associated with operating carrier-based aircraft and demonstrate acceptable levels of proficiency.
Positioned out of Morón Air Base, Spain, the approximately 500 personnel of SP-MAGTF CR come from various elements of the Marine Corps: aviation, ground combat arms, and logistics. As a part of their mission, SP-MAGTF CR conducts military-to-military training with African and European nations.
The Marines created the unit as part of the Department of Defense’s continuing effort to improve its crisis response capability around the globe.
SP-MAGTF CR is a self-deployable and highly mobile force designed to respond to missions in the U.S. Africa Command and U.S. European Command areas of responsibility.
Various aircraft were used during the training. The Marines flew the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, while BHELMA IV flew both the CH-47 Chinook and the AS532 Cougar helicopters. During the carrier qualification, take-off and landing were performed in mixed sections, meaning that American and Spanish aircraft were paired together for alternating landings.
marforeur.marines

Two EC135s delivered to Spanish Army

Airbus Helicopters’ factory in Spain provided the setting early this week for the delivery of the two EC135 helicopters to the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET). The aircraft were the first to be delivered as part of a contract for eight EC135s signed on December 27.
The contract also includes a logistics package that will support fleet sustainability in the coming years. The remaining six helicopters will be delivered during the course of 2014, and will also be allocated to the CEFAMET Helicopter School Battalion. These two new units bring the Spanish Ministry of Defense’s total fleet of EC135s to 16 helicopters, making it the world’s leading operator of the EC135 for military use, which is also operational in countries such as Germany and Japan.
The new aircraft will meet the Spanish Army’s pressing need to provide its combat pilots with advanced training in tactical missions. Involving the use of night vision goggles and instrument flights, this training prepares pilots to perform maneuvers and combat missions in larger platforms such as the Cougar, Tiger and the NH90.
airbushelicopters

Acaba el repliegue aéreo en Afganistán

Con la llegada este sábado a la base de Torrejón (Madrid) de los últimos tres helicópteros desplegados en Afganistán, concluye el repliegue de las unidades de helicópteros que han operado en Herat durante ocho años, en los que han realizado 6.405 horas de vuelo y casi 12.000 salidas en labores de protección y evacuación médica.
Con la vuelta a España de los helicópteros se habrá culminado el 95 por ciento del repliegue de material de la misión en Afganistán.
El pasado 9 de noviembre aterrizó en la base madrileña un avión Antonov 124,con un Cougar y un Chinook, del Ejército de Tierra, y un Súper Puma, del Ejército del Aire, los tres últimos helicópteros que mantenía la misión española en Afganistán.
Se trata del tercer vuelo procedente de Afganistán para trasladar a suelo español los nueve helicópteros que permanecían en la base de Herat, operados por unidades del Ejército de Tierra y el Ejército del Aire. El pasado lunes llegaron los tres helicópteros de combate «Tigre» desplegados en Afganistán desde el pasado marzo.
Durante su estancia en Afganistán estos helicópteros de ataque llevaron a cabo misiones de apoyo específico a las tropas españolas, como dar seguridad a convoyes de repliegue desde la base de Qala i Naw hasta la base de Herat, labores de reconocimiento y de apoyo a otros contingentes.
Su última misión, el pasado 13 de octubre, puso fin a más de ocho años de actividad de la Unidad de Helicópteros del Ejército de Tierra (ASPUHEL) y del destacamento de Helicópteros del Ejército del Aire de la Fuerza Internacional de Asistencia a la Seguridad (HELISAF). ASPUHEL comenzó a operar en Herat con cuatro helicópteros de transporte AS-532 «Cougar» a principios de 2005, a los que se sumaron en 2007 tres helicópteros de transporte pesado CH-47D «Chinook». Por su parte, HELISAF mantuvo desplegados HD-21 «Superpuma» realizando misiones de evacuación médica.
Quedan Afganistán unidad de apoyo logístico, un avión de transporte Hércules, el hospital Role 2, la unidad PASI que opera los aviones no tripulados y los efectivos que se encargan de la gestión del aeropuerto.
abc

La Fuerza Aérea de Venezuela negocia la compra de doce helicópteros Eurocopter Cougar

El presidente de Venezuela anunció que para el fortalecimiento de la Fuerza Aérea Venezolana, está previsto adquirir doce helicópteros Cougar.
No se ha especificado la variante contemplada en la negociación; sin embargo, desde finales de 2007, cuando la FAV anunció que tenía proyectado adquirir un nuevo lote de helicópteros Cougar, trascendió que se trataba de la última versión EC725, o Súper Cougar.
La FAV es un antiguo operario de la familia Super Puma/Cougar. En 1988, adquirió ocho AS332B1 Super Puma, y, diez años más tarde, ocho Cougar: seis AS532AC y dos AS532UL. Los AS332B1/AS532AC operan con el Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones Especiales Nº 10, mientras que los AS532UL están asignados al Grupo Aéreo Presidencial Nº 4.
infodefensa

Malaysia has No Plan To Dispose Of Nuri Helicopters

The Malaysian Armed Forces is not planning to dispose of the 30 aging Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri helicopters which have served the Royal Air Force Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) for over 50 years.

Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said it would be more economical and practical to refurbish the United States-made helicopters to assist the recently acquired EC725 Cougar helicopters.

He said Nuri services were still needed by the RMAF, particularly in utility tasks and aid missions despite taking delivery of 12 French-made EC725 Cougar helicopters by early next year.

defense-studies

Spanish Navy starts trials with Army Helicopters over LHD-1 'Juan Carlos I' flight deck

FAMET Tiger helicopter

FAMET Cougar helicopter

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Brasil realiza pruebas de vuelo de los helicópteros Cougar / Brazil’s armed forces test-fly EC725

Una tripulación brasileña ha probado los primeros tres Eurocopter EC725 Cougar de un total de un pedido de 50 unidades, entregados por Eurocopter a su filial brasileña Helibras.
flightglobal
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A Brazilian armed forces test crew has flown the first three of 50 ordered Eurocopter EC725 Cougar helicopters. Delivered in standard configuration to Eurocopter's Brazilian subsidiary Helibras on 20 December
flightglobal

México pide helicópteros Cougar Adicionales/ Mexico orders more Cougars

El ministerio de Defensa de México, ha pedido seis helicópteros Eurocopter EC725 Cougar adicionales a los que pidió en Marzo de 2009.
El EC 725 se utilizará para tranporte y misiones civiles. Las entregas comenzarán en el segundo cuarto de 2011 y serán entregados por la división mexicana de Eurocopter, con sede en el aeropuerto internacional de Ciudad de México.
key.Aero
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The Mexican Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered six Eurocopter EC725 Cougar helicopters, adding to the six ordered in March 2009.
The EC 725s will be used by the Mexican Air Force for transport and civil security tasks. Deliveries will commence from the second quarter of 2011. The helicopters will be provided by Eurocopter’s Mexican division, Eurocopter de México, based at Mexico City International Airport.
key.Aero

ALBANIA COMPRA 5 COUGAR AS532/ALBANIA BUYING 5 AS532 COUGAR

Según Reuters, Albania va a adquirir 5 Eurocopters AS532 COUGAR por 78 millones de Euros para modernizar su flota a los standard de la OTAN, a la que se unió en Abril de 2009. El parlamento aprobará la compra el próximo once de febrero, urgido por el ministro de Defensa, que solicitó la compra para sustituir a la anticuada flota actual de helicópteros de fabricación soviética y China y que data de los años 60 y 70. Según medios oficiales, la aprobación de la compra es indispensable, debido a la importancia de la flota de helicópteros para las Fuerzas Armadas Albanesas, y es una de la compras mas importantes realizadas en los úlitmos años. El AS 532 AL Cougar es una versión militar del Super PUMA, para uso como transporte, SAR, y transporte VIP.
La flota albanesa se compone de helicópteros de fabricación China y Soviética fabricados en los años 1965-1970, y están limitados técnica y operacionalmente, así como anticuados, no pudiendo volar de noche, ni operar conjuntamente con otras fuerzas de la OTAN. En 2005, fue paralizada la flota de MIG y MIG 21, estando en un futuro la Fuerza Aérea Albanesa compuesta por un gran número de helicópteros, que es lo que mejor se adapta a la montañosa orografía de la zona.
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According Reuters, Albania is going to buy 5 Eurocopters AS532 COUGAR for 78 mln euros over four years to upgrade its fleet to the standards of NATO, which it joined in April last year. Parliament is set to approve the contract late on Thursday after the Defence Ministry asked that it speed up the approval to replace its Soviet and Chinese-made helicopter fleet that dates back to the 1960s. According officials, "The approval of this contract by parliament is absolutely indispensable because the helicopter fleet is an important asset at the national level," the government asked parliament in a report seen by Reuters. "For the armed forces, this will be probably for a long time the project of the biggest financial value."
AS 532 AL Cougar is one of the military versions of the Super PUMA helicopters, for use in its military, search and rescue operations and the transport of VIPs.
Albania's fleet consists of Soviet and Chinese single-engine helicopters produced in 1965-1970 that have limited operational and technical qualities, cannot fly at night and cannot operate with NATO forces.
As soon as the ruling Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha came to power in 2005, it grounded the air force's fleet of airplanes, including the cigar-shaped MIG 19 and MIG 21 fighter jets. Albania's future air fleet is largely to consist of helicopters because they are suitable to its mountainous terrain.