Another operator is about to discard its NH90s.
May 18, 2025
![EXPH-0390-04 new pics[1]](https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EXPH-0390-04-new-pics1.jpg)
The NH Industries consortium has produced 515 NH90s for 14 countries, but of these, Australia and Norway have already retired the type, and in June 2020, the Belgian Strategic Defence Review announced plans to phase out its four NH90 MTH helicopters by 2024 due to high operating costs and poor availability, after just twelve years in service. Four NFH variants will be retained and will gain currently-lacking sensors and weapons for ASW.
The Belgian Ministry of Defence decided to stop operating the NH90 TTH fleet, reporting a “limited operational deployment due to lack of industrial support.”
It seems that they will now be retired completely, even before the fifteen Airbus Helicopters H145Ms procured as replacements can be delivered in the 2026-2027 timeframe. The H145s will also replace ten Agusta A109BA helicopters.
The Belgian MoD is hoping to sell the four NH90 MTH/TTH helicopters, but reportedly want to buy one additional NH90-NFH to add to the four operated by 40 Squadron at Koksijde, though the squadron will move to Oostende-Brugge airport in the near future. The NFH helicopters will be released from their SAR commitment to concentrate on ASW/ASuW missions aboard the Belgian Navy frigates, working closely with the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) NH90-NFHs.
