Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 helicopter to France’s Armament General Directorate (DGA), marking the entry into service of the special operations variant of the NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH).
France has ordered 18 NH90 Standard 2 helicopters, with all deliveries scheduled for completion by mid-2029. The fleet will be operated by the French Army Aviation’s special forces squadron based in Pau. Spain joined the programme in December 2025 with an order for 31 helicopters in the same configuration.
The Standard 2 variant features the Safran Euroflir 410D electro-optical system, a new digital map generator, provisions for a third crew member and enlarged rear sliding windows to support self-protection guns. The aircraft is also prepared for the future integration of the Direct Aperture System (DAS), currently under development, which will enhance visibility in degraded conditions such as snow, dust and fog during day and night operations.
Future upgrades will include the fully digital Thales TopOwl helmet, enabling pilots to display DAS and electro-optical system imagery simultaneously on the visor.
The NH90 Standard 2 programme was awarded in 2020 by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) to NHIndustries (NHI) and its industrial partners Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker.
