NEW ZEALAND RECEIVES ITS FIRST NH90 HELICOPTERS

NHIndustries is pleased to announce the delivery of the first two NH90 TTH helicopters to the New Zealand MoD under Contract 1-220 signed with the New Zealand Government on 31 July 2006.

NHI has chartered an Antonov AN 124 cargo aircraft to freight the two helicopters and a range of spares and other equipment from Marseille Airport to Ohakea Air Base, where it landed on December 6th local New Zealand time. The helicopters have been produced at the Eurocopter facilities in Marignane, France.

This early delivery is motivated by the planned temporary closure of Marseille Marignane airport to heavy cargo flying activity for maintenance activities in January.

NHI remains responsible for thosse helicopters until the start of test and evaluation flying, which will take place after reassembly of the helicopters and when the required support elements will be available and operational in New Zealand, under NHI supervision.

It is planned that NH90 flights will commence in January 2012.

The NH90 TTH is a new generation medium class tactical transport helicopter. 8 helicopters of this type will be delivered to New Zealand.

The NH90 is the most successful European helicopter programme ever. Firm orders have been placed by 14 countries including France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece, Spain and Belgium in Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Oman overseas. The NH90, developed in the TTH utility transport and NFH naval versions, proves the ideal solution to meet requirements from many potential additional customers worldwide for a number of duties. The NH90 programme is managed by NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency) representing France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Portugal, and by the NHIndustries industrial consortium comprising AgustaWestland (32%), Eurocopter (62.5%), Fokker (5.5%).


Source: By Mr. Julien Negrel, NHIndustries Business Director - 6 December 2011 - (http://www.nhindustries.com)

Photo: New Zealand NH90 NFH (http://www.nhindustries.com)

(6.12.2011)