Image: Airbus Helicopters ©
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 helicopter to France’s Armament General Directorate (DGA), marking a milestone for a variant built specifically for special operations. France has ordered 18 of the aircraft, with deliveries running through mid-2029. The French Army Aviation’s special forces squadron in Pau will operate the fleet.
The Standard 2 configuration upgrades the proven NH90 TTH with several new capabilities. It integrates Safran’s Euroflir 410 D electro-optical system alongside a new digital map generator. The design also adds a station for a third crew member. Enlarged rear sliding windows now accommodate self-protection weapons.
The aircraft carries provisions for the Direct Aperture System, still under development, which will sharpen visibility in snow, dust and fog, by day or night. Further upgrades include a fully digital Thales TopOwl helmet, capable of displaying both electro-optical and Direct Aperture System imagery on its visor simultaneously.
Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, commented that the company was honoured to deliver the aircraft to French forces. He added that the new standard builds on the NH90 TTH’s established capabilities with breakthrough features tailored to special forces needs, and said Spain’s involvement in developing the situational awareness enhancements signals this standard’s path toward becoming the global benchmark for special forces rotorcraft.
Spain joined the programme in December 2025, ordering 31 helicopters to a similar standard.
The NATO Helicopter Management Agency commissioned the Standard 2 programme in 2020, awarding it to NHIndustries and its partner firms. NHIndustries, the largest rotorcraft joint venture, handles design, manufacturing and support for the NH90. Airbus Helicopters holds 62.5% of the company, with Leonardo at 32% and GKN Fokker at 5.5%, as per a recent press statement.
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