The German Navy has received its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter from the NHIndustries joint venture at the Nordholz naval base.
NHIndustries is a French rotorcraft manufacturer owned by Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%), and GKN Fokker (5.5%).
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The NH90 Sea Tiger is the newest version of the NH90 NFH, developed to meet the German Navy’s requirements for antisubmarine and anti-surface warfare operations.
It features a new electrooptical system, enhanced electronic support measures, dipping sonar, sonobuoys, as well as the capabilities to carry torpedoes and missiles.
NHIndustries will deliver 31 helicopters by the end of this decade to replace the Mk88A Sea Lynx fleet, which has been in service since 1981.
The new helicopters will support a range of missions, including reconnaissance, transport, and engagement of maritime targets above and below the surface.
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By GlobalDataAirbus Helicopters Germany managing director Stefan Thomé said: “We are extremely proud to deliver the first NH90 Sea Tiger today to the German Navy, on cost, on time and on quality. The Sea Tiger will provide the Navy with a powerful tool to defend Germany’s, Europe’s and NATO’s borders in the Baltic Sea and in the Atlantic – offering outstanding anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.”
The German Navy currently operates 18 NH90 Sea Lion transport helicopters, which were delivered between 2019 and 2023.
These helicopters are currently used in maritime search and rescue operations as well as onboard 702-class replenishment ships.
NHIndustries oversees the design, manufacture, and support of the NH90 helicopter.
To date, six countries have received 135 naval NH90 helicopters that have together logged more than 90,000 flight hours across search and rescue, humanitarian aid, and military missions.
Globally, over 530 NH90 helicopters are in operation with nearly half a million flight hours accumulated.
In April last year, the German Parliament Budget Committee approved funds for a comprehensive software update for its existing NH90 fleets worth €217m ($254m).
