The Spanish army has taken delivery of two Airbus NH90 tactical transport helicopters, part of 22-helicopter order, Airbus Helicopters announced Wednesday. Photo courtesy Airbus Helicopters

MADRID, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The Spanish army has taken delivery of two Airbus NH90 tactical transport helicopters, part of 22-helicopter order, Airbus Helicopters announced Wednesday.

The NH90s, which the army renamed HT-29 Caimans, will form part of the 3rd Maneuver Helicopter Battalion, the company said in a statement.


The first helicopter in the order was transferred earlier this month, with two additional NH90s delivered this week. Another two helicopters are slated to be delivered by year's end.

Airbus Helicopters will supply 22 of the helicopters to the Spanish military by 2021.

The company signed a deal with Spain's Ministry of Defense in 2014 for the helicopters, which were wholly assembled at a plant in Spain.

The three helicopters delivered so far will be used to provide training to the first squad of army pilots qualified to fly the aircraft.

The Spanish version of the NH90 is designed to perform missions that include troop transport, search and rescue, personnel recovery and medical evacuation in all environments.