NPAS

National Police Air Service

NPAS

Established 2012

Security Forces

History C/N Photos Tracking

The UK National Police Air Service was launched on 1 Oct 2012. It covers all Police Forces in England and Wales (but not Scotland or Northern Ireland) through a collaboration agreement. Its objective is to deliver overall savings in the air support service whilst moving to an operational model which consolidates bases and assets, through allocation of the nearest airframe(s) to a declared task and maintaining a strategic aircraft reserve. Operationally, West Yorkshire Police is the lead force.

As of 2025, NPAS operates 16 H135 and 4 H145 helicopters from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. Airbus Helicopters UK provides maintenance and support for the NPAS fleet.

News

NPAS Begins Modernisation with First Two H135T3H Helicopters

Apr 19, 2026 · NPAS launches Fleet Replacement Programme (FRP) with first two of seven H135T3H helicopters arriving at Airbus UK Oxford facility.
UK National Police Air Service Orders Seven H135 Helicopters

Mar 12, 2025 · As the initial phase of its 16-strong fleet renewal program, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) will receive seven new H135 helicopters from Airbus UK
NPAS Fire and First Aid Training

Nov 11, 2019 · UK National Police Air Service (NPAS) conducted fire and first aid training at Birmingham BHX Airport
Airbus to Support National Police Air Service Fleet

Mar 5, 2019 · UK’ National Police Air Service (NPAS) signed contract with Airbus to provide support and maintenance for its fleet of 15 EC135 and 4 EC145 helicopters
UK’ NPAS New Base at Essex

Jan 23, 2019 · UK National Police Air Service (NPAS) building new airbase at North Weald Airfield in Essex to primarily serve London and the South East. The £4 million facility, being built by Kier Group, is scheduled to be ready before end 2019
Last MD902 Explorer Retired from UK Police

Jan 25, 2017 · UK National Police Air Service (NPAS) retiring last MD902 Explorer. Six helicopters were received from the local police forces when NPAS formed back in 2013 and now replaced with EC135/145

Oct 7, 2015 · UK Police NPAS Received First of Seven EC135T2+
Feb 20, 2015 · UK NPAS Will Close 10 Bases in 2015-2017
Feb 2, 2015 · Gwent and South Wales Police joined the NPAS

Jun 3, 2014 · New Investment in NPAS Fleet
Jun 3, 2014 · Bond Helicopters to equip UK Police EC135 T2s

Locations

2012-2017	EGUW	Wattisham Flying Station
2012-	EGCB	Manchester City Airport / Heliport
2012-	EGBB BHX	Birmingham International Airport
2012-		Carr Gate Police Heliport
2012-2017	EGNV MME	Teesside International
2012-	EGTE EXT	Exeter Airport
2012-	EGCN DSA	Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport
2012-	EGNR CEG	Hawarden
2012-	EGDX DGX	MoD St. Athan
2012-	EGNT NCL	Newcastle International Airport
2012-2016	EGFP QKP	Pembrey Range
2012-	EGUB BEX	RAF Benson
2012-	EGKR KRH	Redhill
2012-2015		Rhuddlan
2012-2016		Ripley / Butterley Hall
2012-2016	EGSY SZD	Sheffield City Heliport
2012-		Husbands Bosworth Sulby Strip
2012-2017	EGNO WRT	Warton
2012-2016	EGBO	Halfpenny Green
2014-	EGHH BOH	Bournemouth / Hurn
2015-2019		Lippitts Hill
2018-		Almondsbury NPAS and Air Ambulance Base
2019-	EGSX QKN	North Weald
2021-		Lippitts Hill

Models

2012-	Eurocopter EC135P2+
2012-	Eurocopter EC135T2+
2012-	Airbus H145
2012-2017	McDonnell Douglas MD902 Explorer
2024-	Schiebel Camcopter S-100
2025-	Airbus H135

Operations

25 Oct 20202020

Storming of the mv Nave Andromeda

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