NZ leads the pack with NH90 availability rates
The Royal New Zealand Air Force procured eight NH90 helicopters from NHIndustries. (Gordon Arthur)
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
-
“Gloves are off” as US Defense Secretary memo calls for sweeping drone procurement reform
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has promised to usher in a new era of “military drone dominance”.
-
Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane
The programme first began in 2023 with Bell and Boeing’s concepts progressing to Phase 1B, in which testing has been carried out over the last year.
-
National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme
The report discloses that while the capability provided by the F-35 is superior to previous UK aircraft, delays from the UK Ministry of Defence on the programme have significantly impacted the country’s warfighting capabilities.
-
Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports
The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.