Direction Générale de l’Armement, the French defence procurement agency, on Dec 30, 2015 awarded NH Industries (NHI*) an order for six NH90-TTH Caiman tactical transport helicopters.

This order is one of the concrete outcomes supported by Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian as part of the update of the 2014-2019 multiyear program law. It significantly reinforces the French army’s equipment inventory, and brings to 74 the number of NH90-TTH helicopters on order, 44 of which will have been delivered by 2019.

The NH90 is a twin turbine, 11 tonne helicopter developed in cooperation by Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. It is the first military helicopter to adopt fly-by-wire flight controls.

The NH90 is available in two versions: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for ground forces support missions, and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) for naval missions including anti-ship, anti-submarine and Search And Rescue (SAR).

Read more at www.defense-aerospace.com