With latest funding NPAS will be able to replace more than half it’s H135 fleet which Ch.Sup.Fiona Gaffney, Chief Operating Officer NPAS, says : “Is very welcome news and demonstrates continued confidence in NPAS and the value it provides to policing and the public.
The UK Home Office has confirmed funding for two additional H135s for the National Police Air Service (NPAS) as part the service’s fleet renewal programme. The latest funding approval increases to nine the number of funded H135s. The first two aircraft from a framework agreement signed in February of 2025 were delivered in April, remarkably quickly given the current backlog and continuing demand for the H135/145.
The two additional aircraft will be added to the existing framework agreement as the service replaces its oldest H135s from the sixteen strong fleet. In addition to the H135s NPAS also operates four H145s and two fixed wing aircraft.
There is still no word from NPAS leadership about which bases the new aircraft are destined for once they begin entering operational service in early 2027.
Speaking about the approval Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney, Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager for NPAS, said: “This additional investment is very welcome news and demonstrates continued confidence in NPAS and the value it provides to policing and the public. It is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our people and our partners at BlueLight Commercial and Airbus Helicopters, who continue to deliver a complex fleet renewal programme on behalf of UK policing.”
In parallel to the acquisition programme NPAS is also ‘identifying opportunities to dispose the older NPAS helicopters, all EC135C2s.
Image: NPAS
