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France\u2019s Directorate General of Armaments (Direction G\u00e9n\u00e9rale de l\u2019Armement \u2013 DGA) released on its Instagram account on Mar. 5, 2026, new images<\/a> of the prototype of the NH90\u2019s special forces variant, also called the NH90 Standard 2, undergoing a series of trials. Airbus first announced in June 2024 the launch of a flight test campaign<\/a> of this new NH90 version, developed specifically for the Aviation L\u00e9g\u00e8re de l\u2019Arm\u00e9e de Terre (French Army Aviation).<\/p>\n Two days earlier, on Mar. 3, French defense media Opex360<\/em><\/a> had reported that the helicopter \u201csuccessfully completed its first operational evaluation campaign,\u201d ahead of deliveries that are expected to begin by the summer of this year. The testing campaign however is going to continue with wider and comprehensive testing of the helicopter\u2019s payload capacity, electronics and avionics. France already operates the standard Navy and Army variants of the NH90.<\/p>\n In its post with various shots of the NH90 Standard 2, showing a door-mounted MAG58 machine gun and troops waiting to embark the aircraft, the DGA said: \u201cThe NH90 Special Forces [\u2026] validated its performance [and] enhanced capabilities. A New Operational Era Begins for French Special Forces.\u201d This comes as the NH90 has witnessed a mixed experience with some of its international users, with the negative ones reporting poor maintenance records, and low mission readiness and spare parts availability.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A post shared by Direction g\u00e9n\u00e9rale de l\u2019armement (@dga_gouv)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n The French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs says the new NH90 FS (Forces Sp\u00e9ciales \u2013 Special Forces) will feature a host of new systems, including a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system that offers infrared modes and a laser tracker, designator and laser-range finder; a Eurofl\u2019eye wide-field Distributed Aperture System (DAS); a TopOwl digital helmet mounted display; fully digital fly-by-wire controls; single-pilot capability; and an automated fault and maintenance diagnostic system. Other structural modifications include a cabin access ramp for personnel and equipment, and enlarged rear sliding windows to accommodate door-mounted machine guns.<\/p>\n The DGA publicly unveiled the NH90 Standard 2 for the first time<\/a> at the Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar (SOFINS) held in early April 2025 in France. Meant to replace the Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal and the H215M Cougar, 18 NH90 FS have been ordered from NHIndustries to equip the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment in Pau, said the DGA. The helicopter\u2019s assembly then had just begun at Airbus Helicopters\u2019 Marignane facility, with deliveries expected to begin the summer of 2026 and conclude by 2029.<\/p>\n The NH90 is the largest military helicopter program in Europe, with two main variants \u2013 the NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) for naval operations and the TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) for land-based operations. It is manufactured by NHIndustries, a Joint Venture between Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%) and GKN Fokker (5.5%). France\u2019s DGA says it had ordered and delivered 64 NH90 TTH Standard 1s for the Arm\u00e9e de terre (French Army), and 27 NH90 NFHs for the Marine Nationale (French Navy).\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n According to Opex360<\/em>, the operational test campaign was led by the DGA\u2019s flight test division, the DGA EV, and the Army Technical Section (GAMSTAT). The trials confirmed logistical parameters like the employment envelope of the side door-mounted MAG58 machine gun for the crew\u2019s self-defense and the impact of the opening windows at the rear.<\/p>\n As can be seen in the images, the gun is right beside the mounts for the two countermeasure dispensers and Missile Warning System (MWS), and its swiveling and use should ideally not interfere with their operation, or other wiring, cabling and mission systems. The trials also validated the \u201cmission systems, the lasers and the advanced functions of the optronic ball and, finally, to define the operational use procedures,\u201d Opex360<\/em> added.\u00a0<\/p>\n The report added that DGA EV and GAMSTAT experts still \u201chave a lot of work ahead of them\u201d with a second round of testing planned for July, after the delivery of the first production representative airframe. The new tests will focus in particular on \u201cthe evaluation of the improved payload hook and the laser designator,\u201d the report said, quoting the DGA.<\/p>\n Besides France, the NH90 is used by Australia, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Germany, Spain, Oman, Qatar and New Zealand, with nearly each one having reported issues with the aircraft. In July 2025<\/a>, Belgium\u2019s Minister of Defense Theo Francken announced the retirement of the country\u2019s four NH90 TTHs, but the four NH90 NFHs will continue to be used.<\/p>\n Un NH90 tout noir \u00e7a ne laisse jamais indiff\u00e9rent pic.twitter.com\/qVG0Msb3aC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Valentin (@ValentinDayon) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The most bitter experience was that of Norway, with the Norwegian government<\/a> and NHIndustries<\/a> amicably settling<\/a> on Nov. 3, 2025, their court dispute over the NH90, three years after the country canceled the contract with the firm. The troubled helicopter faced acute servicing and downtime issues in its 20 year tenure with the Norwegian Armed Forces.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s case with its NH90s is particularly famous, operating 46 airframes, locally designated MRH-90 Taipan (Multi-Role Helicopter). They had been in service since 2008, and the fleet of 46 Taipans was retired a decade ahead of schedule. The helicopters suffered a series of engine failures and maintenance issues. In August 2022, Canberra approved<\/a> the purchase of 40 UH-60M Black Hawks to replace the Taipan.<\/p>\n Finland too had reported low availability rates, between 19%<\/a> to 40%, of its 20 NH90 TTHs for the Army, meant to replace the Russian Mil Mi-8s. On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, France\u2019s, Germany\u2019s, Spain\u2019s, the Netherlands\u2019 and Italy\u2019s experience has been largely satisfactory.<\/p>\n \u2014 Philippe Top-Action (@top_force) November 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\n\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\nView this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\u00a0<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe NH90 Standard 2 for France<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Operational test and evaluation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Other users\u2019 experience with the NH90<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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#NH90<\/a> #FS<\/a> standard 2, je dis un grand OUI pour une livr\u00e9e noire. pic.twitter.com\/xIQqJlnWzk<\/a><\/p>\n