Helicopters
Tracking
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) formalized a £122 million order for six Airbus H145D3 helicopters in April 2024 to fulfill critical overseas requirements in Brunei and Cyprus. Designated as the Jupiter HC2 (Helicopter Cargo Mk 2) in military service, these aircraft are tasked with diverse operational roles, including jungle warfare training for the Army Air Corps’ 667 Squadron in Brunei and emergency response and aerial firefighting for the RAF’s 84 Squadron in Cyprus. Deliveries began in May 2025, with the first units arriving in Brunei by early 2026 to establish a permanent capability following the retirement of interim RAF Pumas.
The Jupiter HC2 (H145D3) features a significant performance upgrade over the existing Jupiter HT1 (H145D2 HC.1 equivalent) used for pilot training at RAF Shawbury. The primary distinction is the D3’s five-bladed bearingless main rotor, which increases useful load by 150 kg, improves flight comfort by reducing vibration, and simplifies maintenance compared to the four-bladed system on the HT1. While the HT1 is strictly a trainer, the HC2 is fully role-equipped for frontline support, featuring specialized mission kits like winch hoists for medical evacuation, internal modifications for troops, and compatibility with aerial firefighting equipment.
The Jupiter HC2 is replacing a combined fleet of legacy aircraft across two major overseas hubs, providing a unified platform to streamline logistics and training. In Brunei, the new helicopters are taking over from the Bell 212 (historically operated by the Army Air Corps) and the interim Puma HC2 that filled the gap after the Bells were retired in 2022. Simultaneously, in Cyprus, the Jupiter HC2 is replacing the Bell 412 (Griffin HAR2) and the stopgap Pumas that had been providing search-and-rescue and emergency response support for RAF 84 Squadron. By replacing three distinct legacy types—the Bell 212, Bell 412, and Puma—with a single specialized variant of the H145, the MOD aims to significantly reduce operational costs and maintenance complexity.
The Jupiter HC2 (H145D3) features a significant performance upgrade over the existing Jupiter HT1 (H145D2 HC.1 equivalent) used for pilot training at RAF Shawbury. The primary distinction is the D3’s five-bladed bearingless main rotor, which increases useful load by 150 kg, improves flight comfort by reducing vibration, and simplifies maintenance compared to the four-bladed system on the HT1. While the HT1 is strictly a trainer, the HC2 is fully role-equipped for frontline support, featuring specialized mission kits like winch hoists for medical evacuation, internal modifications for troops, and compatibility with aerial firefighting equipment.
The Jupiter HC2 is replacing a combined fleet of legacy aircraft across two major overseas hubs, providing a unified platform to streamline logistics and training. In Brunei, the new helicopters are taking over from the Bell 212 (historically operated by the Army Air Corps) and the interim Puma HC2 that filled the gap after the Bells were retired in 2022. Simultaneously, in Cyprus, the Jupiter HC2 is replacing the Bell 412 (Griffin HAR2) and the stopgap Pumas that had been providing search-and-rescue and emergency response support for RAF 84 Squadron. By replacing three distinct legacy types—the Bell 212, Bell 412, and Puma—with a single specialized variant of the H145, the MOD aims to significantly reduce operational costs and maintenance complexity.
Units
| 2026- | 84 Squadron |
| 2026- | 667 Squadron667 Sq |
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