Greece prepares to receive final NH90 as NHI negotiates national support contracts

With Greece about to formally receive its 20th and final NH90, NHI is to implement national support contracts to improve the Hellenic Army's fleet availability. (NHI)

Greece is preparing to formally receive its 20th and final NH90 medium-lift helicopter, with NHIndustries (NHI) negotiating national support contracts to increase overall fleet availability.

A spokesperson for NHI's chief stakeholder, Airbus Helicopters, told Janes on 27 October that the final NH90 is now in Greece ahead of its formal acceptance into service.

“The aircraft has arrived in Greece but the acceptance process is still ongoing. As usual there is some paperwork before the aircraft is officially handed to the customer,” the spokesperson said.

Greece ordered its 20 NH90 helicopters (16 in the Troop Transport Helicopter [TTH] configuration and four in the special operations configuration) in August 2003, the first of which was delivered to the Hellenic Army in June 2011.

Helicopters delivered to date are fielded by the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Army Aviation Brigade, at Stefanovikeio Air Base, and the 2nd Army Aviation Group, 2nd Army Aviation Helicopter Battalion, at Megara Air Base.

Depleted fleet

While 19 helicopters have so far been delivered to the Hellenic Army, nine have been cannibalised for spare parts to keep the others in a flyable condition, and so are themselves no longer viable airframes. “If you don't have a support contract, you cannot buy parts or repairs – you cannot do anything. You know, if you never bring your car to the garage, at some point your engine is going to explode and you will not be able to drive your car. Helicopters are the same,” the president of NHI, Axel Aloccio, told Janes