NZ leads the pack with NH90 availability rates
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
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns]()
UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns
The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
-
![Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition]()
Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
-
![March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics]()
March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran war has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
-
![Franco-German alliance aims to resolve FCAS woes by end of April as dispute rolls on]()
Franco-German alliance aims to resolve FCAS woes by end of April as dispute rolls on
The disagreement between French-German industry continues as both governments work to keep the programme alive and on track to develop and deliver a sixth-generation fighter jet.
-
![US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions]()
US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
-
![Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift]()
Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift
Norway’s funding boost will help the country reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035, with autonomous systems part of the long list of priorities alongside frigate acquisition and development of a new Finnmark Brigade.
