Airbus and Leonardo have teamed as much as consider a Block 2 evolution of the NH90 helicopter, following a request from the NATO Helicopter Administration Company.
The envisaged Block 2 improve would see the NH90 medium helicopter design, in service with various armed forces worldwide, improved with new, modular avionics, better efficiency, and the combination of networking options to permit for crewed-uncrewed teaming (CUC-T, also called MUM-T) operations. Precise specs for the improve won’t be finalized till the completion of the structure examine, and after operators of the plane are in a position to touch upon proposals.
CEO of Airbus Helicopters Bruno Even mentioned: “There are a number of research operating in the intervening time at NATO, EU, and nationwide ranges to evaluate the way forward for navy helicopters. Along with Leonardo we consider that the NH90 may have a central function to play in the way forward for European protection capabilities. The NH90 Block 2 evolution will profit from a few of the applied sciences being investigated by the European Subsequent Era Rotorcraft Applied sciences examine that we’re collaborating on in partnership with Leonardo.”
The #NH90 Block 2 improve will embrace key structural enhancements to the plane reminiscent of modular avionics, better configuration commonality, improved upkeep and efficiency, in addition to new capabilities within the discipline of collaborative fight, connectivity and CUC-T. #PAS25
— Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) June 18, 2025
Plane operators are anticipated to be proven the outcomes of the examine by 2027, with Block 2 hoped to increase the NH90’s service life no less than into the 2050s. A Block 1 improve is already in progress, which is able to make sure the NH90 stays an operationally efficient platform by to the time Block 2 may be prepared.
The primary manufacturing NH90 was delivered to the German Military in 2006 after a greater than decade lengthy improvement course of, which noticed the primary prototype take flight in 1995. Much like the AW101 Merlin, the NH90 is obtainable in two predominant variants: a utility helicopter designed for battlefield transport and logistics designated the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH), and a naval helicopter (NFH – NATO Frigate Helicopter) able to anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare in addition to naval logistics.
Each variants are supplied with both the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 or the Basic Electrical CT7-8E powerplants. Based on FlightGlobal, upgrades to those engines, or the alternative of them, is one consideration for the Block 2 improve.
President of the NHIndustries consortium (composed of Airbus, Leonardo, and Fokker) Axel Aloccio is optimistic about this system however says plane operators could have to mood their necessities. “Block 2 will not be an open bar, it’s not an all-you-can-eat buffet,” he mentioned. We’re telling this to our clients: to be able to make Block 2 profitable it has to stay reasonably priced and manageable. If Block 2 has the identical price ticket as launching a brand new program it doesn’t make sense to do an improve.”
Suggestions from operators hints at a want for a better vary together with simplified upkeep. The NH90 has famously been tormented by poor availability charges, generally reaching as little as 25%, which has been blamed on spares shortages and contracts that didn’t place an excellent sufficient give attention to airframe availability. Some operators, like Australia, have been so annoyed by the issues that complete fleets have been withdrawn from use and changed by competitor plane. Norway terminated their NH90 contract and even went to the size of requesting refunds from NHIndustries.
Conversely, various operators, such because the Netherlands, look like assured of their purchases and have been seen to make the most of their helicopters extensively. 11 international locations function the helicopter at current, and whereas orders from new operators have slowed, various present ones have expressed a want so as to add to their fleets.
Do you know that when 11 NH90s fly collectively, there’s as much as 253 troopers being carried directly? Congratulations to the Spanish #FAMET for this demonstration of the #NH90 helicopter’s capabilities! 🚁🇪🇸@EjercitoTierra pic.twitter.com/9qtSHcrjOO
— Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) February 1, 2023
New Assist Contract
The NH90 was featured at 2025’s Paris Air Present, with NHIndustries utilizing the chance to announce an enlargement of the helicopter’s assist contracts. Belgium’s NH90s will now be coated by the contract, and it additionally provides further companies for France’s fleet and accommodates Germany’s Sea Tiger sub-variant.
NHIndustries on the Paris Air Present – Day 2!We’re happy to announce the main enlargement of the NH90 Operational Assist contract, which now consists of the brand new German MRFH variant (Sea Tiger), the Belgium NH90 fleet and extra assist companies to the French NH90 fleet. This… pic.twitter.com/0cAbAci7lB
— NHIndustries (@NHIndustriesSAS) June 17, 2025
“NHIndustries is totally dedicated to making sure buyer satisfaction, and the contents of this settlement have been fastidiously crafted to be able to present the French and German Armed Forces with the precise set of companies for enhancing NH90 operability, affordability and serviceability,” Aloccio mentioned on the present. “We’re additionally more than happy to welcome Belgium on this new setup and lengthen our dedication of companies to this longstanding accomplice.”
The renewed settlement has an preliminary contract size of 5 years, with two five-year extensions permitting it to last as long as 15 years. A complete of 239 NH90s throughout the three talked about nations are coated by the contract. It means NHIndustries takes duty for the provision chain supporting the plane and consolidates upkeep schedules for the three fleets.
