NH-90 oppdatering

 

French To Order More NH-90s, Germans Fewer

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » JULY 12, 2013

by  CHRIS POCOCK

A new-production TTH version of the NH-90 helicopter sits on the ramp at Eurocopter’s Marignane factory. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

July 12, 2013, 9:50 AM

The French Army is expected to confirm an option for 34 more Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) versions of the NH IndustriesNH-90 helicopter, when the 2013 French defense spending program is published shortly. The French have already bought 34 TTHs, as well as 27 NATO Frigate Helicopters (NFHs).

Meanwhile, the Germans have reduced their order of TTHs to 82 from 122, and partly compensated by ordering 18 NFHs. The German government concluded its negotiations with NH Industries (a joint venture among AgustaWestland, Eurocopter and Fokker) in March, but the process has recently been criticized in the German Parliament for saving little money, and for obliging the German Navy to take NH-90s when (critics allege) its preference was for the Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk.

By late May, 144 of some 500 NH-90s on order had been delivered to 13 countries from five production lines: AgustaWestland in Italy, supplying 36; Eurocopter in Australia, 14; Eurocopter in France, 47; Eurocopter in Germany, 29; and Patria in Finland, 18. According to a Eurocopter press release, all countries were “very pleased with the first aircraft they received.” This statement seems at odds with the well publicized problems encountered by Australia, Germany and Sweden in particular, as they introduced the 11-tonne-class machine.