Portugal is attempting to cancel its contract with NH Industries for NH90 transport helicopters.
The negotiations between the two parties was disclosed in the half-year accounts for Eurocopter, which owns 62.5% of NH Industries, along with AgustaWestland and Fokker.
Cash-strapped Portugal has 10 NH90s on order for its army in the tactical transport helicopter variant. Eurocopter said in June it was attempting to save the deal, but conceded at the time: "It's hard to say when they will take them".
Meanwhile, France's DGA defence procurement agency received two NH90s on 27 July. The first, destined for the army's training school at Le Cannet des Maures in the mountainous Var region, is the second example for the service in its final operational capability configuration. The other will be operated by the French navy from its Hyères base in southwest France, and is the service's seventh of the type.
Eurocopter is also in talks with Germany over the future of its commitment for Tiger attack helicopters, it adds, "the outcome of which is still open".
The French armed forces have a total of 52 NH90s on order to replace its Puma, Super Frelon and AgustaWestland Lynx helicopters.
Source: Flight International
