NH90 - Oppdatering Belgia

Thursday, August 1, 2013

NH90 Joins Belgium Armed Forces Fleet

Eurocopter has handed over the initial NH90 in the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) configuration to the Belgium Armed Forces. The helicopter is also the first to come from the manufacturer’s industrial complex in Donauworth, Germany. Belgium is the fifth country to employ the NFH version, along with France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway.

Belgium NH90 NFH. Photo by Charles Abarr/courtesy of Eurocopter

The helicopter is rated at full operational capability (FOC), meaning it is equipped for the full spectrum of naval missions including search and rescue (SAR) and maritime military operations. Belgian NH90 training is slated to begin in September for pilots and maintenance personnel. Operations are set to launch in 2014 using two NH90s. The full contract with Eurocopter calls for eight NH90s – four of which in the NFH configuration – to replace the Navy’s fleet of Sikorsky Sea Kings.