New Zealand Upgrades Entire NH90 Helicopter Fleet to Enhance Autonomy and Tactical Communication
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New Zealand has achieved a global first in the field of military aviation. According to an article published by the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 28 May 2025, the RNZAF’s NH90 fleet has been fully upgraded with new software and equipment that now enables the helicopters to operate without restriction in the country’s controlled civil airspace. Initially planned as a three-year process in Europe, the entire upgrade was completed in just four weeks at RNZAF Base Ohakea, setting a new benchmark in fleet sustainment operations.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The updated software enables coalition forces to recognise RNZAF NH90s as friendly aircraft through modern electronic identification systems (Picture source: RNZAF)
The NH90 is a multirole military helicopter developed by the NH Industries consortium (France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) to meet NATO operational standards. It is available in two primary configurations: the TTH for land-based missions and the NFH for maritime operations. It features a carbon fibre fuselage, sliding side doors, a hydraulic rear ramp, and a four-blade composite main rotor. The helicopter can carry up to 20 troops, 12 stretchers, or 2,500 kg of cargo, including small armoured vehicles. Its onboard systems include FLIR, weather radar, a digital map generator, a helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD), and secure communication capabilities. Powered by either two Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 or General Electric T700 turboshaft engines, the NH90 can cruise at 300 km/h with a maximum range of 982 km. The naval version can be armed with torpedoes, air-to-surface, or air-to-air missiles, while the land version can be equipped with a machine gun or 20 mm cannon.
Originally, the upgrade was to be performed by NH Industries technicians in Europe, requiring the aircraft to be shipped individually over several years. However, due to the high technical standards of New Zealand’s Deeper Maintenance teams, NH Industries authorised the work to be completed locally. This allowed the RNZAF to maintain fleet availability and reduce logistical and operational burdens.
A critical factor in the upgrade’s rapid execution was the Ministry of Defence’s acquisition of components from a retired NH90 formerly operated by the Australian Defence Force. This made it possible to equip New Zealand’s fleet without grounding the aircraft, enabling all eight helicopters to be modified simultaneously in record time.
The updated software enables coalition forces to recognise RNZAF NH90s as friendly aircraft through modern electronic identification systems. It also includes Saturn, a secure inter-aircraft communication system designed for use in combat environments. In addition, the fleet now complies with New Zealand Civil Aviation requirements for ADS-B OUT, eliminating the need for a previous exemption that had allowed continued operation without this functionality.
The upgrade also improves flight operations, specifically in the area of automated hover control. The NH90s can now maintain automatic hover down to landing, a feature particularly relevant in low-visibility conditions caused by rotor wash in dusty or snowy environments. It also allows for lower altitude hover over water, improving the safety of over-the-shore or maritime insertion tasks, such as those conducted by special forces.
According to Ministry of Defence Air Domain Director Pete Fitness, this upgrade directly contributes to operational safety. He noted that the modernisation of aircraft more than ten years old is a normal development. Although other countries operating the NH90 had signed on to the upgrade programme earlier, New Zealand is the first to have completed the full implementation across its entire fleet. This positions the country at the forefront of digital systems integration for multirole helicopters.
The Ministry of Defence is planning to expand the NH90’s digital capabilities further, including the addition of software and hardware supporting performance-based navigation and enhanced communications. These developments are intended to improve the helicopter’s integration into civilian air traffic control environments while strengthening its tactical utility in complex military operations.
The accelerated and complete upgrade of New Zealand’s NH90 fleet marks a notable development for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. With reduced downtime, expanded capabilities, and enhanced compliance, the project provides a reference point for future military helicopter sustainment efforts.
{loadposition bannertop}
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New Zealand has achieved a global first in the field of military aviation. According to an article published by the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 28 May 2025, the RNZAF’s NH90 fleet has been fully upgraded with new software and equipment that now enables the helicopters to operate without restriction in the country’s controlled civil airspace. Initially planned as a three-year process in Europe, the entire upgrade was completed in just four weeks at RNZAF Base Ohakea, setting a new benchmark in fleet sustainment operations.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The updated software enables coalition forces to recognise RNZAF NH90s as friendly aircraft through modern electronic identification systems (Picture source: RNZAF)
The NH90 is a multirole military helicopter developed by the NH Industries consortium (France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) to meet NATO operational standards. It is available in two primary configurations: the TTH for land-based missions and the NFH for maritime operations. It features a carbon fibre fuselage, sliding side doors, a hydraulic rear ramp, and a four-blade composite main rotor. The helicopter can carry up to 20 troops, 12 stretchers, or 2,500 kg of cargo, including small armoured vehicles. Its onboard systems include FLIR, weather radar, a digital map generator, a helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD), and secure communication capabilities. Powered by either two Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 or General Electric T700 turboshaft engines, the NH90 can cruise at 300 km/h with a maximum range of 982 km. The naval version can be armed with torpedoes, air-to-surface, or air-to-air missiles, while the land version can be equipped with a machine gun or 20 mm cannon.
Originally, the upgrade was to be performed by NH Industries technicians in Europe, requiring the aircraft to be shipped individually over several years. However, due to the high technical standards of New Zealand’s Deeper Maintenance teams, NH Industries authorised the work to be completed locally. This allowed the RNZAF to maintain fleet availability and reduce logistical and operational burdens.
A critical factor in the upgrade’s rapid execution was the Ministry of Defence’s acquisition of components from a retired NH90 formerly operated by the Australian Defence Force. This made it possible to equip New Zealand’s fleet without grounding the aircraft, enabling all eight helicopters to be modified simultaneously in record time.
The updated software enables coalition forces to recognise RNZAF NH90s as friendly aircraft through modern electronic identification systems. It also includes Saturn, a secure inter-aircraft communication system designed for use in combat environments. In addition, the fleet now complies with New Zealand Civil Aviation requirements for ADS-B OUT, eliminating the need for a previous exemption that had allowed continued operation without this functionality.
The upgrade also improves flight operations, specifically in the area of automated hover control. The NH90s can now maintain automatic hover down to landing, a feature particularly relevant in low-visibility conditions caused by rotor wash in dusty or snowy environments. It also allows for lower altitude hover over water, improving the safety of over-the-shore or maritime insertion tasks, such as those conducted by special forces.
According to Ministry of Defence Air Domain Director Pete Fitness, this upgrade directly contributes to operational safety. He noted that the modernisation of aircraft more than ten years old is a normal development. Although other countries operating the NH90 had signed on to the upgrade programme earlier, New Zealand is the first to have completed the full implementation across its entire fleet. This positions the country at the forefront of digital systems integration for multirole helicopters.
The Ministry of Defence is planning to expand the NH90’s digital capabilities further, including the addition of software and hardware supporting performance-based navigation and enhanced communications. These developments are intended to improve the helicopter’s integration into civilian air traffic control environments while strengthening its tactical utility in complex military operations.
The accelerated and complete upgrade of New Zealand’s NH90 fleet marks a notable development for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. With reduced downtime, expanded capabilities, and enhanced compliance, the project provides a reference point for future military helicopter sustainment efforts.
