Eurocopter EC635

The Airbus Helicopters H135M, formerly the Eurocopter EC635, is a multi-purpose light helicopter that Airbus Helicopters developed as the military version of the H135. Twin-engined, it carries up to eight people including the pilot, plus military equipment or armaments, and is marketed for troop transport, medical evacuation, cargo transport, reconnaissance and surveillance and armed combat support. It was developed to meet a Portuguese Army requirement for a light fire support and medical evacuation helicopter and was first revealed at the Aviation Africa exhibition in May 1998. Portugal signed in October 1999 for nine EC635 T2 helicopters with Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 engines but cancelled in August 2002 after delivery delays; the Royal Jordanian Air Force agreed to buy those nine in October 2002 and received the first in July 2003.