In my rather too long experience, there are many reasons (the real ones often hidden from general view) as to why a project has not enterred service as successfully as anticipated or planned - so jumping to conclusions is not always helpful - quite a few customers seem to be using the NH90 quite successfully for such a new type. Often this starts at the top with far too optimistic planning targets particularly if the variant concerned has been modified to meet a customers specific requirements - the manufacturer doesn't always help here in their eagerness to secure a contract within a customers budget timescale. Often the operating environment and usage spectrum is not considered in enough detail either - and the frontline operating customer not given enough early time to see if what the maker is saying is supportable. Funny old thing then when the customer gets its hands on the real kit all sorts of issues emerge. Furthermore, its no use comparing it with other customers who might well have accepted the ac into service on different criteria (and maybe even living with the same issues but not making a song and dance about it - often again for potential embarrasing political cover up reasons). One thing I do know, is the the Aussies have a very rigourous approach to requirements assessment and airworthiness, which (sadly) many other nations do not share. It is almost inevitable therefore that such an approach will show up issues that perhaps have not been so well exposed by other customers. The UK had this approach once...but then that discussion is on another thread!!
Cheers
