Article Posted on : - Dec 05, 2011

The NH90 NFH naval helicopter.

VERGIATE, ITALY (BNS): Norway has received its first NH90 naval helicopter from AgustaWestland.

The multi-role helicopter was officially delivered to the Norwegian Armed Forces at AgustaWestland's Vergiate facility in Italy on November 30.

The NH90 is the first of 14 NH90s intended to replace the Lynx helicopters of the Norwegian Coast Guard in addition to providing helicopter anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability to the new Nansen-class frigates.

The Norwegian NH90s will be based at Bardufoss Air Station where they will start their operational career after initial training, AgustaWestland said.

The NH90 NFH variant is primarily designed for autonomous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti surface warfare (ASuW) missions. The comprehensive mission equipment packages allow a wide range of additional missions to be performed including Search and Rescue (SAR), maritime patrol, vertical replenishment, troop transport, medical evacuation and amphibious support roles.

Norway is one of the nations selecting the NFH variant of NH90 twin-engine multi-role helicopter. The Netherlands, France, Italy and Belgium have also ordered the new aircraft.

A total of 111 NH90 NFH naval helicopters have been ordered by these nations, according to AgustaWestland.