The Belgian government has advanced its December 2005 selection of the NH Industries NH90 helicopter by agreeing a firm order for eight aircraft and taking formal membership of the NATO management organisation responsible for delivering the type.
Belgium is to acquire four aircraft each in the NH90’s tactical transport and naval configurations for duties including troop transport and search and rescue tasks. It has taken options on a further two aircraft, against an original plan to buy 10 new helicopters. Belgium is also to join the NATO helicopter management organisation alongside launch partners France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands and previous export buyer Portugal, with its industry to secure work on the multinational project.
A partnership between AgustaWestland, Eurocopter and Stork Fokker, NH Industries has now secured orders for 453 NH90s plus 102 options from 14 nations, and says it is currently negotiating the sale of a further 76 examples with undisclosed nations.
Belgium military site
Source: FlightGlobal.com
