On 12 March 2026, Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) placed a follow-on order for three Airbus H135 helicopters, bringing its total Airbus fleet to 26 units. The new aircraft will be deployed to Hokkaido, Shimane, and Miyagi Prefectural Police departments, supporting patrol, search and rescue, and tactical transport missions.

“We are honoured by the National Police Agency’s continued trust in the H135,” said Jean-Luc Alfonsi, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. “Its proven reliability and performance make it ideal for law enforcement operations.”

The order follows the successful delivery of an H135 to Hiroshima Prefectural Police in late 2025, which now operates alongside the department’s AS365. These helicopters demonstrate Airbus’ ability to integrate versatile platforms into complex operations.

The H135 features Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite with 4-axis autopilot, three large electronic displays, night vision goggle compatibility, and a First Limit Indicator, enhancing situational awareness and mission safety.

In Japan, operators also benefit from in-country training at Airbus Helicopters Japan’s full flight simulator centre in Kobe. Currently, 98 H135s operate across Japan, with 15 dedicated to law enforcement. Globally, over 1,600 H135s are in service with more than 8 million flight hours.

This latest acquisition reinforces Japan’s commitment to modernising its police aviation fleet while maintaining operational readiness across multiple mission types.