According to a report by Laurent Lagneau in Opex360, the French Ministry of Defense has formally placed an order for eight more NH-90 helicopters designed for special forces use. This procurement aligns with the Special Operations Command's (COS) objectives and will facilitate the relocation of Caracal helicopters from the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment (4e RHFS) to the 1/67 Pyrénées Squadron of the French Air and Space Force.
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The NH90-FS (special forces version of the NH90) aims to provide the French SF with new capabilities (Picture source: French MoD)
In 2016, the COS identified the need for 24 NH-90 Caïman TTH helicopters to enhance the capabilities and capacity of its units while retiring the existing maneuvering aircraft within the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment (4RHFS) of the Army's Light Aviation (ALAT).
However, during the formulation of the Military Programming Law (LPM) for the period 2019-2025, the decision was made to acquire only 10 NH-90 "Special Forces" (NH-90 FS) helicopters. The announcement of this order was made by then-Minister of Defense Florence Parly in October 2020, with a plan to deliver six units to the 4e RHFS before 2025. The LPM for 2024-2030 has now revised this target upwards, specifying a fleet of 18 NH-90 FS helicopters in the attached report.
In November 2023, an additional budget of 2.1 billion euros was allocated to the Defense Ministry. Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu explained that this funding would enable the anticipation of certain priority orders during wartime, thanks to cost-saving measures. One of these priority orders includes the acquisition of an extra 8 NH-90 FS helicopters.
The General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) has officially communicated the contract for these eight additional helicopters to the NHIndustries consortium, which consists of Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and Fokker. As reported by the French weekly La Tribune, this order was anticipated and was placed before the end of 2023.
The NH90 is a highly versatile helicopter designed to perform various missions, including tactical transport for up to 20 individuals, heli-transport with a cargo hold capacity of 2.5 tons or 4 tons on a sling, emergency extraction (IMEX), parachute drops, commando deployments, cargo parachute drops, heliport missions, search and rescue operations, and medical evacuations with the ability to carry up to 12 stretchers. It can also function as a heliportable command post.
Key specifications of the NH90 include a maximum weight of 10.6 tons, a top speed of up to 320 km/h, and adaptable cargo capacities, allowing for the transport of 14 to 20 passengers, one off-road vehicle plus three personnel, or 2.5 tons of equipment in the cargo hold, or 4 tons on a sling. It features advanced mission management and navigation systems, self-protection systems, and a Topowl helmet with integrated triple-sensor visionics and pilot thermal imaging (FLIR).
The NH90 is renowned for its versatility and can be employed in combat, search and rescue, and tactical transport missions. It incorporates modular systems with digital technology, making it adaptable for various roles. The cabin includes a loading ramp for easy transport of personnel and equipment. Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and sensors, it is suitable for day and night operations in all weather conditions. The helicopter is designed for single-pilot operation, features a self-diagnostic system for fault detection, and boasts an integrated maintenance system.
The NH90-FS is equipped with a Euroflir 410 NG optronic ball and the Eurofl'eye system, which includes a multispectral panoramic 3D pilot assistance sensor associated with the TopOwl binocular helmet. It has also been modified to support fast rope operations and personnel transport via side doors.
The NH90 is in service with 14 different nations and is available in two primary versions: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), specialized in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. It plays a significant role in the development of an integrated European defense system.
