Helicopter Capability
NH90 Medium Utility Helicopter
Client: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Description
To acquire a Medium Utility Helicopter to replace the Iroquois utility helicopter with a capability that meets the New Zealand Defence Force's contemporary needs.
Government approval
In July 2006 the Government approved a project budget of NZ$771.7 million excluding GST.
Contract
A contract was signed with Nato Helicopter Industries (NHI) in July 2006 for eight operational helicopters.
Current status
The first flight of the first aircraft occurred on 4 May 2009 in France. A revised schedule has been agreed to following some delay in qualification and certification activities on other countries variants, which the New Zealand NH90 variant relies upon for its qualification and certification.
Training of aircrew and maintainers will be conducted on the Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopters in France in late 2010.
The first aircraft is scheduled to be available for flight training in December 2010.
The last aircraft is scheduled for delivery in early 2012.
For further information see the Royal New Zealand Air Force web site (www.airforce.mil.nz) or contact:
Acquisition Division
Ministry of Defence
PO Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 496 0678
Fax: +64 4 496 0859
Email: info@defence.govt.nz
As at September 2010
