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NZ leads the pack with NH90 availability rates

22nd February 2022 - 02:51 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Christchurch

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The Royal New Zealand Air Force procured eight NH90 helicopters from NHIndustries. (Gordon Arthur)

Many countries are dissatisfied with their NH90 helicopters, but New Zealand seems to have found a recipe for success.

A fleet of eight NH90 TTH helicopters forms the backbone of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) rotary-winged fleet. Unlike its nearest neighbour, Australia, New Zealand appears satisfied with its European-built helicopters, and it has achieved comparatively high availability rates.

Three NH90s, along with two AW109s, were participating in Exercise Blackbird in the northern part of the South Island in February. This was the first time for No. 3 Squadron to conduct a field exercise in a COVID-19 environment.

By the time the fortnight-long exercise finished, nearly all personnel from the squadron had operated from an austere location in

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