The Programme Committee NSHP (Nordic Standard Helicopter Project) representing Finland, Norway and Sweden has selected the NH90 as the reference helicopter for the NSHP. Finland confirmed a requirement for 20 NH90s and Norway for 14, with an option for an additional ten in total.

The international competition launched in February 1998 is for the acquisition and maintenance of several dozen helicopters from the medium and heavy classes.

The NHI consortium, which groups together Agusta (32 per cent), Eurocopter (62.5 per cent), and Stork Fokker (5.5 per cent) was selected to supply 34 aircraft, with ten more as options, following its response to an invitation for bids covering a wide range of missions: tactical transport, medical evacuation, SAR and anti-submarine warfare.

“The NH90 has already proven successful in the export market just one year after the first firm order was placed by Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.

“Taking into consideration Portugal, which joined the programme in June, seven countries and ten armed forces have opted for the NH90 concept,” said Eurocopter president Jean-Francois Bigay.