Germany proposes 'shared' multinational NH90 helicopter fleet
Germany is proposing that 22 NH Industries (NHI) NH90 troop
transport helicopters it currently has on option could be acquired
and used to form a pool of rotorcraft to be shared by NATO
partners.
The concept, which it calls the “multinational helicopter unit”,
is part of a broader framework agreement the nation’s
defence ministry hammered out with Airbus Helicopters as it
looks to formalise planned cuts to its overall NH90 order.
is part of a broader framework agreement the nation’s
defence ministry hammered out with Airbus Helicopters as it
looks to formalise planned cuts to its overall NH90 order.
Berlin initially committed to 120 NH90 TTHs, but in
2013 it concluded a memorandum of understanding with
the airframer – which is the majority shareholder in the NHI
consortium – to cut its acquisition to 80 units with 22 options.
In addition, it proposed to take 18 examples of the NFH variant
for use by its navy.
2013 it concluded a memorandum of understanding with
the airframer – which is the majority shareholder in the NHI
consortium – to cut its acquisition to 80 units with 22 options.
In addition, it proposed to take 18 examples of the NFH variant
for use by its navy.
However, formal ratification of the deal was put on hold
pending the conclusion of negotiations between the parties.
pending the conclusion of negotiations between the parties.
The pact must now pass before Germany’s parliament for
approval before a binding contract can be signed.
approval before a binding contract can be signed.
Defence officials hope this can be debated by politicians either
later this month or in January, leading to a firm decision in early
2015.
later this month or in January, leading to a firm decision in early
2015.
Airbus Helicopters
The ministry says the shortage of transport helicopters that
afflicted the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
mission in Afghanistan was in part the inspiration for its plans for
the shared resource.
afflicted the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
mission in Afghanistan was in part the inspiration for its plans for
the shared resource.
“By doing this we create an opportunity for smaller countries,
which would not be able to support an NH90 fleet on their own,
to participate in this capability and have it on a smaller scale,” the
ministry says.
which would not be able to support an NH90 fleet on their own,
to participate in this capability and have it on a smaller scale,” the
ministry says.
So far Berlin has made approaches to 20 NATO members, and
has received a “two-digit number of positive responses”, the ministry
says.
has received a “two-digit number of positive responses”, the ministry
says.
It proposes making a “significant contribution” to supporting the
pooled helicopters, which would be located at one of the German
army’s existing bases for the type, enabling them to take advantage
of the maintenance and logistics facilities already in place.
pooled helicopters, which would be located at one of the German
army’s existing bases for the type, enabling them to take advantage
of the maintenance and logistics facilities already in place.
Germany has so far taken delivery of 37 NH90s, with the latest
example handed over last week. It has yet to declare full
operational capability for the helicopter, with this milestone
anticipated in late2016.
example handed over last week. It has yet to declare full
operational capability for the helicopter, with this milestone
anticipated in late2016.
If approved, the NFHs – to be known as Sea Lion in German
service – will begin to arrive from 2018 to replace the
navy’s aged fleet of 20 Westland Sea King 41s.
service – will begin to arrive from 2018 to replace the
navy’s aged fleet of 20 Westland Sea King 41s.
As part of the same pact, Airbus Helicopters will now no longer
buy back 11 early production examples of the Tiger UHT attack
helicopter. Instead, Germany will retain them to use as donor
aircraft for spare parts and cancel a separate spares acquisition.
buy back 11 early production examples of the Tiger UHT attack
helicopter. Instead, Germany will retain them to use as donor
aircraft for spare parts and cancel a separate spares acquisition.
Berlin has cut its order from 80 to 57 of the helicopters, with the
operational Tiger fleet capped at 40 examples.
operational Tiger fleet capped at 40 examples.
The defence ministry declines to give a figure for the total acquisition cost, but it is thought to be in the region of €8 billion ($10 billion).
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