The NH90 is an 11-ton twin-engine helicopter developed in European cooperation between France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. It comes in two versions: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for ground force support missions and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) for anti-ship, anti-submarine and maritime rescue missions.
This aircraft has gradually replaced the Puma helicopters of the Army Light Aviation (ALAT). It has combat equipment, armor and countermeasures systems. The NH90 is equipped with rappelling devices as well as air intakes for operations in desert environments. It is also able to carry loads under a sling.
Led for France by the DGA, the NH90 program relies on the executive agency NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) for the overall management of the program. The NATO Helicopter Industries (NHI) consortium is composed of the Airbus Helicopters group and the manufacturers AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) and Fokker. The NH90s intended for the French forces are assembled on the Airbus Helicopters France site in Marignane.
