Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) has ordered three Airbus H135 helicopters to support its fleet modernization program. Announced on March 12, 2026, the acquisition will deploy the light twin-engine aircraft to the Hokkaido, Shimane, and Miyagi Prefectural Police departments for multi-role law enforcement missions, including patrol, search and rescue, and tactical transport.
This order increases the NPA’s Airbus fleet to 26 units, following a recent H135 delivery to the Hiroshima Prefectural Police in late 2025. Across Japan, 98 H135s operate, with 15 dedicated to law enforcement roles.
“We are honored by the National Police Agency’s continued trust in the H135,” said Jean-Luc Alfonsi, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. “The H135’s proven reliability and high performance make it the definitive platform for law enforcement.”
The H135 features Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite, including a 4-axis autopilot and three large electronic displays in a night vision goggle-compatible cockpit. A First Limit Indicator consolidates critical engine data for pilots, enhancing situational awareness.
Airbus has supported Japan’s law enforcement for over 30 years with light-twin, medium-, and heavy-lift helicopters. This follows earlier NPA orders, such as one H225 and four H135s, adding to 22 existing Airbus rotorcraft and three on order.