Janes reported that the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has begun receiving Airbus H135 training helicopter with bearing the number ‘20203′ on its tail, suggesting that this is the third helicopter of the type to be registered with the RTAF. In August 2021, the first three Kong Thap Akat Thai (RTAF, Royal Thai Air Force) Airbus H135T3H military training helicopters were seen at Lop Buri/Koke Kathiem. The H135 helicopters will be known as the Type 13 helicopters are operated by 202 Squadron, part of the 1st Air Division/2nd Wing.
The H135s are being acquired as part of a $43.35 million contract for six of these helicopters that was announced by Airbus Ddring the Singapore Air Show in february 2020, marking the first time the RTAF has ordered dedicated training helicopters. These new twin-engine H135s will be utilised for an array of training missions, including ab-initio flight training. They will complement the Royal Thai Air Force’s existing H225M fleet, bringing its Airbus fleet to 18 units. This latest contract includes comprehensive maintenance support under the HCare Smart full-by-the-hour programme and continuing airworthiness management organisation services.
In addition, the Royal Thai Air Force’s H135s will each be configured with two external cameras, providing pilots with a 360-degree view of the external environment. They will also be equipped with tactical systems and the Euronav7 moving map, enhancing situational awareness while offering the highest levels of functionality, interface capability and flexibility to meet the Air Force’s demanding mission requirements. Additionally, the H135s will be fitted with air-conditioning systems, tinted windows, and height-adjustable pilot seats for enhanced comfort. H135 is a proven benchmark for military training helicopters globally.
The Airbus Helicopters H135 (formerly known as Eurocopter EC135) is a twin-engine civil light utility helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters . It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules (IFR) and is outfitted with a digital automatic flight control system (AFCS). First flying on 15 February 1994, it entered service in 1996 and 1,400 have been delivered up to September 2020 to 300 operators in 60 countries, accumulating over 5 million flight hours and 320,000 military training flight hours. It is mainly used for helicopter emergency medical services, corporate transport, law enforcement, offshore wind support, and military flight training.
