Europe’s Largest Helicopter Fleets

Helicopters play a crucial role in Europe, serving diverse functions across military, civilian, and commercial sectors. European countries maintain substantial helicopter fleets to meet needs in defense, search and rescue (SAR), emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, and offshore energy support. While some countries prioritize military helicopters for defense and rapid response, others have significant civilian fleets to provide vital services, especially in geographically challenging areas like the North Sea.

1. United Kingdom

• Military: Around 400 helicopters, including:
  • Apache, Chinook, Merlin, Puma, and Wildcat.
• Civilian: Approximately 600 helicopters, with significant use in offshore, search and rescue (SAR), and emergency medical services (EMS), operated by companies like Bristow and Babcock.
• Total: ~1,000 helicopters.

2. France

• Military: Approximately 450 helicopters, including:
  • Eurocopter Tiger, NH90, Super Puma, Gazelle, and Fennec.
• Civilian: About 500 helicopters, used in EMS, SAR, and police services, largely operated by Sécurité Civile and private EMS companies.
• Total: ~950 helicopters.

3. Germany

• Military: Around 300 helicopters, including:
  • Tiger, NH90, H145M, and CH-53G.
• Civilian: Roughly 400 helicopters, primarily for EMS, police, and commercial operations (ADAC alone operates about 50 EMS helicopters).
• Total: ~700 helicopters.

4. Italy

• Military: Approximately 280 helicopters, including:
  • AW129 Mangusta, NH90, and CH-47 Chinook.
• Civilian: Around 300–350 helicopters, used for SAR, police, EMS, and operated by private companies like Babcock Italia.
• Total: ~630 helicopters.

5. Spain

• Military: Around 250 helicopters, including:
  • Tiger, NH90, Cougar, and Super Puma.
• Civilian: Approximately 200 helicopters, used for firefighting, EMS, and police operations.
• Total: ~450 helicopters.

6. Norway

• Military: Approximately 80 helicopters, including NH90 and Sea King for SAR and transport.
• Civilian: Around 150 helicopters, with extensive use in offshore oil and gas, as well as SAR in the North Sea.
• Total: ~230 helicopters.

7. Sweden

• Military: Around 60 helicopters, including:
  • UH-60 Black Hawk, NH90, and AW109.
• Civilian: Roughly 100 helicopters, focused on SAR, EMS, and police services.
• Total: ~160 helicopters.

From the United Kingdom’s extensive offshore operations to France’s robust emergency services, these fleets are essential to national security, public safety, and industry support across the continent.