Magazine Helicopter Industry #102
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HELICOPTER INDUSTRY I BREAKING NEWS I EUROPE<br />
©NHI<br />
BELGIUM COULD WITHDRAW ITS NH90TTH<br />
«Confronted with a profound change and an extraordinary challenge», according to the expression used in their press release, the Belgian<br />
Defense is forced to drastically reduce its NH90 fleet.<br />
In order to do so, the Belgian Ministry of Defense could prematurely withdraw from service its four NH90TTHs, the last of which was<br />
delivered in 2014. According to the press release, «the measures related to the TTH version of the NH-90 are do to its limited operational<br />
production from the imperfect industrial support (which threatens to diminish in the coming years), as a result of very costly but necessary<br />
upgrades and personnel shortages». The excessively high operational cost has in fact forced a 40% reduction in the 1050 flight hours<br />
initially allocated by the government until 2022. Although considerable, this figure, however, comes as no surprise since a report by the<br />
Kingdom’s Court of Auditors dating back to 2019, had already mentioned the «budgetary» drift of the aircraft.<br />
With the help of the crisis, the Belgian Defense would therefore choose to concentrate primarily on the NFH (Nato Frigate <strong>Helicopter</strong>)<br />
version which, in its maritime role, should increase the efficiency of the frigates and at the same time ensure the SAR (Search and<br />
Rescue) mission. However, the possible withdrawal of the land version of the NH90 within two years could have major operational<br />
consequences for the Land and Medical Components, which would have to find a new aircraft. Belgian Defense says it has several leads<br />
currently under review. In particular, there are discussions of an acquisition of H145s, which are already possessed by Germany and<br />
Luxembourg. A multi-purpose machine that would enable the salvage of the Belgian budget, and at the same time allow the replacement<br />
of the NH90 and A109, which have been in service since 26 years. To be continued…<br />
MORE ABOUT NH90<br />
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