On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed a contract with the European consortium NHIndustries, comprising Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%), and GKN Fokker (5.5%), for the delivery of three additional NH90 NFH (Naval Frigate Helicopter) anti-submarine warfare and transport helicopters, with an option for two more. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2030.
Photo: NHIndustries
The purchase aligns with the objectives of the so-called Defense Memorandum 2024 (Defensienota 2024), announced on 5 September 2024, which outlines the development directions of the armed forces. The helicopters will receive the latest modifications. The contract on behalf of the government in The Hague will be overseen by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA); therefore, it was signed at the agency’s French headquarters in Aix-en-Provence, in the Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur region, Bouches-du-Rhône department. The contracting authority is the Ministry of Defence’s Commando Materieel en IT (COMMIT).
The helicopters will go to the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht; KLu), which currently operates 19 aircraft of this type, including 11 NFH helicopters (one lost in a crash on 19 July 2020) and 8 transport-configured TNFH, performing missions on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Navy (Koninklijke Marine).
“The Netherlands has been part of the NH90 program from the very beginning, as a founding nation in 1999. We received the first NH90 in 2010 and we were the first nation to operationally use the NH90 in 2013 for counter piracy operations in Somalia. Since then the NH90 has proven to be a weapon system with unrivalled operational capabilities and has become an indispensable asset of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. This contract is yet another new chapter to our long-standing cooperation in the NH90.” Said Col. Dominique Troquete, Deputy JEC of the Netherlands.
“The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force has consistently demonstrated its trust in the NH90 programme, starting from the original landmark investment to develop the platform, which secured 20 NFHs naval helicopters, up to the recently renewed commitment” commented Axel Aloccio, NHI President.
Cristian Naso, NHI Managing Director added:
“The three additional NFHs aircraft will be assembled by Leonardo in Italy and delivered already embedding the latest Block-1 features, also known as Software Release 3 (SWR3), including the most advanced technologies such as the Data Link 22, next-generation electro-optical system, new integrated sonics and additional weaponry.”
Photo: Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
In May 2024, NAHEMA and the NHIndustries consortium signed a short- and medium-term modernization plan known as Block 1 (Software Release 3), covering multiple nations and aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of their NH90 fleets in service – including tactical information, data exchange, sensors, navigation, and weapons integration. Meanwhile, under an agreement dated 18 June of this year, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo will carry out a feasibility study for the next modernization package, NH90 Block 2, based on the version currently under discussion.
Thanks to these upgrades, the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force will gain even greater operational capabilities on the battlefield, particularly in long-range reconnaissance, target identification, detection, designation, tracking, and engagement. The NH90 NFH will be able to detect and counter threats more effectively, while simultaneously sharing advanced, encrypted tactical information in real time with allied assets – meeting the modern demands of interoperability. In doing so, maximum effectiveness will be ensured in every type of mission.
Michael Kohlhaas, Director General of NAHEMA, added that the Dutch government’s purchase of three additional NH90 helicopters confirms its strong confidence in this proven and versatile platform, strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. The decision reinforces the NH90 program and represents a long-term investment in operational readiness and industrial cooperation.
The Dutch NH90 NFH helicopters belong to the 860 Naval Air Squadron (860 NAS), whose home base is De Kooy in Den Helder, in the province of North Holland.
Defensie schaft 3 extra NH90-maritieme gevechtshelikopters aan. In het contract zit een optie voor nog 2 toestellen. De militaire organisatie verwacht de nieuwe NH90’s in 2030 👇 https://t.co/T66tEx4enh
— Koninklijke Luchtmacht (@Kon_Luchtmacht) December 10, 2025
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