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
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![AI-controlled F-16s advance towards autonomous multi-aircraft operations in US]()
AI-controlled F-16s advance towards autonomous multi-aircraft operations in US
The US plans to progressively expand VENOM/AIR testing from single-aircraft flights to multi-platform autonomous operations over the next 12–24 months, generating data that could support future US military AI programmes, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
-
![AIM-260 JATM deal puts Australia’s missile-industrial ambitions in focus]()
AIM-260 JATM deal puts Australia’s missile-industrial ambitions in focus
While a potentially accelerated acquisition timeline could strengthen the RAAF’s long-range air combat capability, Canberra’s continued reliance on US missile production is also put under the spotlight in parallel to its push to build a sovereign industry.
-
![Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?]()
Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?
Demand signals for counter-drone technology are strong and the market is becoming crowded, but is this really the beginning of a new phase of warfare or will commentators be talking about something else 10 years from now?
