RAF receives first Jupiter helicopters into Cyprus
The two new H145 Jupiter HC2 helicopters for the 84 Squadron in Cyprus prior to being fully reassembled following their transfer to RAF Akrotiri. (Crown Copyright)
The first Airbus Helicopters H145 Jupiter HC2 rotorcraft have been delivered to Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 22 June 2026 that 84 Squadron had now received two of the newbuild helicopters that will take on general support duties across the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) on the Mediterranean island. The helicopters arrived in Cyprus on 17 June 2026.
The MoD has acquired six H145 Jupiter HC2 helicopters to be shared between the RAF's support mission in Cyprus and the British Army's training mission in Brunei, replacing the Airbus Helicopters Puma HC2 (which itself recently replaced the Bell 412 in Cyprus and Bell 212 in Brunei). The first H145 Jupiter HC2 delivery to RAF Akrotiri milestone came weeks after the first two such helicopters began their jungle training duties in Brunei with the Army Air Corps' (AAC) 667 Squadron in May 2026.
With four of the six Jupiter helicopters now in Cyprus and Brunei, the MoD has not said if the other two will be transferred to either location or retained in the UK.
In UK service, the H145 Jupiter is already flown as the HT1 version for pilot and rear crew training. In total, there will be 13 H145 Jupiter HC2/HT1 helicopters in service, affording synergies in both training and sustainment.
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