The German Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter, marking a significant milestone in the modernisation of its naval aviation capability. The handover was completed by Airbus Helicopters, through the NHIndustries joint venture, during a delivery ceremony at the Navy’s base in Nordholz.

A total of 31 NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters are scheduled for delivery by 2030. The aircraft will be employed in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare roles, strengthening Germany’s maritime defence capability in support of national, European and NATO operations.

Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany, said the delivery was achieved on cost, on time and on quality. He added that the Sea Tiger will provide the German Navy with a powerful capability to defend borders in the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic, offering advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare performance.

The NH90 Sea Tiger will progressively replace the German Navy’s Mk88A Sea Lynx fleet, which has been in service since 1981. The Navy already operates 18 NH90 Sea Lion naval transport helicopters, delivered on schedule between 2019 and 2023. These aircraft are regularly deployed on maritime search and rescue missions and aboard 702-class replenishment ships.

Representing the latest evolution of the NH90 NFH, the Sea Tiger has been specifically configured to meet the German Navy’s requirements for a modern anti-submarine warfare helicopter. New features include an advanced electro-optical system and improved electronic support measures. The aircraft is also equipped with a dipping sonar, sonobuoys and a range of weapons, including torpedoes and missiles.

In addition to reconnaissance and transport tasks, shipborne Sea Tiger missions include engaging targets above and below the surface. The full mission system suite has been tested and qualified during multiple test campaigns conducted in the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea.

To date, 135 naval NH90 helicopters have been delivered to six nations, accumulating more than 90,000 flight hours across search and rescue, humanitarian and military operations. Worldwide, more than 530 NH90 helicopters are in service, with close to 500,000 flight hours recorded.

NHIndustries is the largest rotorcraft joint venture and is responsible for the design, manufacture and support of the NH90 programme. The company is owned by Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%) and GKN Fokker (5.5%), bringing together expertise from across the European rotorcraft and defence industry.