Germany Orders NH90 Sea Tiger Helicopters | Aviation International News

Germany Orders NH90 Sea Tiger Helicopters

The shipborne Sea Tiger helicopter will defend the German navy’s frigates against both submarine and surface attack.

The Deutsche Marine already flies the NTH version of the NH90, known as the Sea Lion, which began operations with MFG 5 in June this year. The Sea Tiger is a multi-role adaptation of the NFH version, similar to that operated by the French navy. (Photo: Airbus)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

November 26, 2020

Following Germany’s parliamentary approval of €2.7 billion ($3.2 billion) funding to purchase 31 NH Industries NH90 helicopters for the Deutsche Marine (German navy), an order was placed with the industrial consortium on November 26 by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), the contracting agency acting on behalf of the German armed forces. These aircraft will be of the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) variant, and will be known as the Sea Tiger in German service.

The Sea Tiger was announced as the chosen helicopter to replace the navy’s 22 aging Westland Sea Lynx Mk 88As in August 2019, following evaluation against the Leonardo AW159 Wildcat and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk. The Sea Tigers are expected to be delivered from 2024/25 for assignment to the Marinefliegergeschwader (naval air wing) 5 based at Nordholz, near Cuxhaven on Germany’s North Sea coast, with at least one earmarked for trials duties at the principal German trials establishment at Manching in southern Germany.

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