Netherlands signs for additional NH90 helicopters

With a contract for three more now signed, the Netherlands will field 22 NH90 NFHs. (Netherlands MoD)

The Netherlands has signed for three more NHIndustries (NHI) NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopters (NFHs), increasing the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF) fleet to 22 airframes.

Announced on 9 December, the contract was signed between NHI and the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA). Neither a contract value nor delivery timeline was disclosed. Having lost one of its 20 NH90s to an accident in 2020, this contract replaces that helicopter and adds two more aboard new frigates to be acquired.

As a founding member of the NH90 partnership alongside Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy, the Netherlands employs the helicopter across a range of roles, including shipborne combat support and reconnaissance, counter-narcotics, and anti-piracy missions, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Cristian Naso, NHI managing director, noted, “The three additional NFH aircraft will be assembled by Leonardo in Italy and delivered already embedding the latest Block 1 features, also known as Software Release 3 (SWR3), including the most advanced technologies such as the Data Link 22, next-generation electro-optical system, new integrated sonics, and additional weaponry.”

For more information on the NH90, please see NHI in talks for up to 100 new NH90s .