Eurocopter NH90
In June 2000, the participating countries signed a contract for the production of 243 NH90s:
France 27
Germany 80 TTH (with an option on a further 54),
Italy 46 NFH and 70 TTH.
Netherlands 20
Germany converted 42 options to firm orders (30 TTH for the Army and 12 TTH for the Air Force in June 2007.
Portugal became the fifth nation to join the NH90 programme, with a requirement for ten NH90 TTH helicopters.
In September 2001, the NH90 was chosen as the common helicopter for the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme, for the navies of Norway, Sweden and Finland. Sweden has ordered 18 (13 TTT, five NFH), Finland 20 TTH and Norway 14 NFH (six for ASW and six for the coastguard). The first, a transport variant, was delivered to Sweden in June 2007. Sweden is the first customer for the High-Cabin Version (HCV), which has a cabin height of 1.82m compared to 1.58m for the standard version.
In July 2004, 20 NH90 helicopters were ordered by the Royal Air Force of the Sultanate of Oman.
In August 2004, the Australian Ministry of Defence selected a version of the helicopter, the MRH 90, to meet the Australian Army requirement for 12 troop transport helicopters under the Air 9000 programme. The contract was signed in June 2005. The helicopters will be built by Australian Aerospace, a subsidiary of Eurocopter and will be delivered between December 2007 and December 2009. A further 35 helicopters were ordered in June 2006. The first MRH90 made its maiden flight in March 2007. The MRH90 is to replace the ageing Navy Sea King and Army Black Hawk helicopters.
In April 2005, the NH90 was selected to replace the Royal New Zealand Air Force's fleet of UH-1H Iroquois helicopters. A contract for nine helicopters was signed in July 2006.
"In 2003, the NH90 became the first medium-sized transport helicopter to fly with full fly-by-wire controls."In June 2007, Belgium placed an order for eight NH90, four NFH naval and four TTH transport plus two optional TTH helicopters.
In January 2007, the Spanish government placed an order for an initial batch of 45 helicopters in the TTH configuration.
In December 2003, the NH90 became the first medium-sized transport helicopter to fly with full fly-by-wire controls, with no mechanical back-up. This is the serial production configuration
Total NH90 orders are 495 fixed and 60 options from 14 countries.
14 (Scandinavian / European / Australasian) Countries have made a decision to upgrade second generation helicopters and maintain a medium lift helicopter instead of the risk of loss associated with large SH in a combat zone. This incidently is why the UK did not take up a US offer many moons ago for second hand C141 Starlifters. The loss of a C130 does not take out a regiment whereas a C5 for example would. Whilst the CSAR Cougar is a capable helicopter and natural successor to the Puma, the NH90 is the next generation helicopter with in-build longevity and easily cross serviced with allied nations. It is marine compatable which is a bummer, but it makes it 'expedition force' compatable.
So polititions with purse strings, get your wedge out and give the boys some new kit to do the job with.