France Boosts Special Forces with New NH90 TTH Helicopters

World Defense

France Boosts Special Forces with New  NH90 TTH Helicopters

Defense News, France :- In December 2023, the French defense agency approved getting eight more NH90 Tactical Troop Helicopters (TTH) for their Special Operations Forces (SOF). The NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) then signed a deal with NHIndustries, a team of Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and Fokker, to make it happen.


NAHEMA and NHIndustries also updated their contract to adapt the NH90 TTH for the evolving needs of the French Special Operations Forces.


The Defense Procurement Agency expects to get all eight new helicopters from 2027 to 2029, spending EUR 305 million on the purchase. France had already ordered 10 NH90 TTH helicopters for its Special Operations Forces in 2020.


Here are some details about the NH90 TTH:

Role: Military transport helicopter

Manufacturer: NHIndustries (Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and Fokker Aerostructures)

Length: 19.56 meters (with rotors turning)

Height: 5.31 meters (at tail rotor)

Main rotor diameter: 16.30 meters

Empty weight: 6,400 kg

Maximum takeoff weightkeoff weight: 10,600 kg (Tactical Transport Helicopter - TTH) / 11,000 kg (Naval Frigate Helicopter - NFH)

Engines: 2 × Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 or 2 × General Electric T700/T6E1

Max speed: 300 km/h (basic aircraft @10t)

Cruise speed: 260 km/h

Range: 780 km (internal fuel)

Ferry range: 1,600 km (with auxiliary fuel tanks)

Service ceiling: 6,000 meters

Crew: 1-3 (depending on role)

Passengers: Up to 20 troops


The NH90 is a flexible helicopter used for various missions such as troop transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare. It's currently in use by several countries worldwide, including France, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Oman.

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