French Army Could Operate Belgian NH90 Helicopter to Ensure NATO Tactical Lift Continuity
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According to information published by FlightGlobal, on July 28, 2025, Belgium and France are progressing toward a bilateral agreement regarding the future of Belgium’s four NH90 TTH tactical transport helicopters. Initially scheduled for retirement in September 2025 due to low availability and high operating costs, these aircraft may instead be transferred for operational use by France’s Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre (ALAT). The proposed arrangement would see the helicopters maintained and flown by the French Army for a period of 18 to 24 months, while continuing to support Belgian military requirements during a critical capability transition.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The NH90 is a modern European multirole helicopter developed by NHIndustries, a consortium involving Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and Fokker (Picture source: Belgian MoD)
This development follows Belgium’s announcement in June 2024 of an order for 15 Airbus H145M helicopters to replace both the aging Agusta A109 Hirundo and the NH90 TTH. While the H145M offers excellent versatility, rapid deployment capacity, and a reduced maintenance footprint, it lacks the payload and endurance capabilities of the NH90 TTH, a medium-lift aircraft specifically developed for high-intensity tactical transport missions. In response, Belgian authorities have confirmed parallel discussions for the acquisition of eight heavy-lift helicopters, though no model selection has yet been made public. In the interim, maintaining access to NH90-type capabilities remains essential.
Axel Aloccio, President of NHIndustries and head of the NH90 program at Airbus Helicopters, stated during the 2025 Paris Air Show that government-level negotiations are ongoing between Belgium and France. Under the leading scenario, the NH90 TTHs would be transferred to the 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment (3e RHC) in Étain, integrated into the ALAT’s operational structure but used in support of Belgian tactical mobility needs. Aloccio expects an agreement to be signed before the end of 2025, allowing Belgium to benefit from continued operational availability without bearing the full cost of direct operation.
This cooperation plan is underpinned by a recent MCO (maintenance in operational condition) contract signed between NHIndustries and NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency), providing long-term technical support for up to 239 NH90s across France, Germany, and Belgium. Although Belgium intends to retain its naval variant NH90 NFH for SAR and anti-submarine warfare operations, its decision to retire the TTH variant was initially seen as contradictory given the new support framework. The emerging French partnership now gives strategic coherence to the ongoing support plan.
The NH90 is a modern European multirole helicopter developed by NHIndustries, a consortium involving Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and Fokker. Designed to meet NATO standards for battlefield and maritime operations, it features an advanced composite airframe, sliding side doors, and a hydraulically operated rear ramp. In its TTH (Tactical Troop Helicopter) version, it is optimized for combat transport missions, capable of carrying up to 20 fully equipped soldiers or 2,500 kg of cargo internally. It is powered by either Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 or General Electric T700 engines, giving it a cruising speed of 300 km/h and a maximum range of nearly 1,000 km.
The NH90 TTH is also designed for high-threat environments, with provisions for side-mounted 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns, and optionally 20 mm podded cannons. It includes an advanced self-protection suite featuring MBDA electronic countermeasures, a third-generation Thales HMSD night vision helmet, and FLIR sensors for low-visibility operations. Its avionics suite is fully digital, with real-time mapping, tactical data links, and helmet-mounted displays to enhance situational awareness. These features make the NH90 one of the most advanced tactical helicopters currently in European service.
Despite its sophistication, the NH90 TTH has suffered from low availability and complex maintenance requirements. Belgium has cited poor readiness rates, below 40 percent in recent years, and high costs per flight hour as key reasons for its retirement. France and Germany have reported similar issues, though recent efforts to streamline logistics and improve in-theater maintenance have begun to yield results. A January 2025 report from France’s DGA (Direction générale de l’armement) acknowledged progress but emphasized the need for further investment in the helicopter’s support ecosystem.
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has reiterated that the withdrawal of the NH90 TTH is in line with the STAR restructuring plan. Training for H145M pilots and technicians will begin in September 2025, coinciding with the NH90’s withdrawal from Belgian flight operations. Yet, the proposed cooperation with France represents a pragmatic and flexible approach to maintaining critical capabilities during this transition phase. Should the agreement be concluded, it would represent a new model of European defense cooperation, balancing operational demands, budgetary constraints, and the need for strategic continuity across allied forces.
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According to information published by FlightGlobal, on July 28, 2025, Belgium and France are progressing toward a bilateral agreement regarding the future of Belgium’s four NH90 TTH tactical transport helicopters. Initially scheduled for retirement in September 2025 due to low availability and high operating costs, these aircraft may instead be transferred for operational use by France’s Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre (ALAT). The proposed arrangement would see the helicopters maintained and flown by the French Army for a period of 18 to 24 months, while continuing to support Belgian military requirements during a critical capability transition.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The NH90 is a modern European multirole helicopter developed by NHIndustries, a consortium involving Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and Fokker (Picture source: Belgian MoD)
This development follows Belgium’s announcement in June 2024 of an order for 15 Airbus H145M helicopters to replace both the aging Agusta A109 Hirundo and the NH90 TTH. While the H145M offers excellent versatility, rapid deployment capacity, and a reduced maintenance footprint, it lacks the payload and endurance capabilities of the NH90 TTH, a medium-lift aircraft specifically developed for high-intensity tactical transport missions. In response, Belgian authorities have confirmed parallel discussions for the acquisition of eight heavy-lift helicopters, though no model selection has yet been made public. In the interim, maintaining access to NH90-type capabilities remains essential.
Axel Aloccio, President of NHIndustries and head of the NH90 program at Airbus Helicopters, stated during the 2025 Paris Air Show that government-level negotiations are ongoing between Belgium and France. Under the leading scenario, the NH90 TTHs would be transferred to the 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment (3e RHC) in Étain, integrated into the ALAT’s operational structure but used in support of Belgian tactical mobility needs. Aloccio expects an agreement to be signed before the end of 2025, allowing Belgium to benefit from continued operational availability without bearing the full cost of direct operation.
This cooperation plan is underpinned by a recent MCO (maintenance in operational condition) contract signed between NHIndustries and NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency), providing long-term technical support for up to 239 NH90s across France, Germany, and Belgium. Although Belgium intends to retain its naval variant NH90 NFH for SAR and anti-submarine warfare operations, its decision to retire the TTH variant was initially seen as contradictory given the new support framework. The emerging French partnership now gives strategic coherence to the ongoing support plan.
The NH90 is a modern European multirole helicopter developed by NHIndustries, a consortium involving Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and Fokker. Designed to meet NATO standards for battlefield and maritime operations, it features an advanced composite airframe, sliding side doors, and a hydraulically operated rear ramp. In its TTH (Tactical Troop Helicopter) version, it is optimized for combat transport missions, capable of carrying up to 20 fully equipped soldiers or 2,500 kg of cargo internally. It is powered by either Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 or General Electric T700 engines, giving it a cruising speed of 300 km/h and a maximum range of nearly 1,000 km.
The NH90 TTH is also designed for high-threat environments, with provisions for side-mounted 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns, and optionally 20 mm podded cannons. It includes an advanced self-protection suite featuring MBDA electronic countermeasures, a third-generation Thales HMSD night vision helmet, and FLIR sensors for low-visibility operations. Its avionics suite is fully digital, with real-time mapping, tactical data links, and helmet-mounted displays to enhance situational awareness. These features make the NH90 one of the most advanced tactical helicopters currently in European service.
Despite its sophistication, the NH90 TTH has suffered from low availability and complex maintenance requirements. Belgium has cited poor readiness rates, below 40 percent in recent years, and high costs per flight hour as key reasons for its retirement. France and Germany have reported similar issues, though recent efforts to streamline logistics and improve in-theater maintenance have begun to yield results. A January 2025 report from France’s DGA (Direction générale de l’armement) acknowledged progress but emphasized the need for further investment in the helicopter’s support ecosystem.
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has reiterated that the withdrawal of the NH90 TTH is in line with the STAR restructuring plan. Training for H145M pilots and technicians will begin in September 2025, coinciding with the NH90’s withdrawal from Belgian flight operations. Yet, the proposed cooperation with France represents a pragmatic and flexible approach to maintaining critical capabilities during this transition phase. Should the agreement be concluded, it would represent a new model of European defense cooperation, balancing operational demands, budgetary constraints, and the need for strategic continuity across allied forces.
