Defense & Military
German Navy Receives First NH90 Sea Tiger Helicopter in 2025
The German Navy begins replacing Sea Lynx helicopters with NH90 Sea Tiger for advanced anti-submarine missions starting December 2025.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus and additional technical data from public defense reporting.
On December 16, 2025, the German Navy officially accepted the delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters at the Nordholz Naval Airbase. According to an official press release from Airbus Helicopters, this handover marks the beginning of a significant modernization effort for German naval aviation, replacing the aging Sea Lynx Mk88A fleet with a dedicated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) platform.
The delivery is the first milestone in a broader contract signed in 2020, valued at approximately €2.7 billion. Under this agreement, the Bundeswehr has ordered 31 Sea Tiger helicopters, with the full fleet scheduled for delivery by 2030. As reported by Airbus, the Sea Tiger is designed to serve as the primary shipborne combat helicopter for the German Navy’s current and future frigates, specifically targeting threats in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea.
The arrival of the Sea Tiger represents a critical shift in capability. For decades, the Sea Lynx Mk88A has been the backbone of Germany’s ship-based anti-submarine operations. However, evolving threats on NATO’s Northern Flank have necessitated a more advanced platform. The Sea Tiger is based on the NH90 “NATO Frigate Helicopter” (NFH) variant but has been heavily modified for combat roles.
Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Germany, emphasized the importance of this delivery for European defense capabilities.
“The Sea Tiger provides a powerful tool to defend Germany’s, Europe’s, and NATO’s borders. We are proud to deliver this aircraft on cost, on time, and on quality.”
, Stefan Thomé, Airbus Helicopters (via Airbus Press Release)
According to defense reporting by FlightGlobal and Naval News, the German Navy is targeting an accelerated operational timeline. While the full fleet is expected by 2030, the service aims to have the advanced “Step 4” configuration operational by 2029 to meet potential aggression scenarios. Captain Broder Nielsen, Commander of German Naval Aviation, highlighted the urgency of the program in public remarks, noting that the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea are the navy’s primary operating environments where they must be prepared to counter enemy submarines.
The NH90 Sea Tiger is distinct from the NH90 Sea Lion, which the German Navy already operates for Search and Rescue (SAR) and transport missions. While they share a common airframe, the Sea Tiger is outfitted with a specialized mission suite for high-intensity warfare. According to technical data released by Airbus and NHIndustries, the Sea Tiger features a maximum takeoff weight of 10.6 tonnes and is equipped with state-of-the-art systems for detecting and engaging underwater and surface threats:
The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 turboshafts, offering a maximum cruise speed of approximately 300 km/h (160 knots). It has an endurance of roughly four to five hours and a range between 800 and 980 kilometers on internal fuel, allowing it to extend the defensive perimeter of its host frigate significantly.
Logistical Synergies: The decision to operate both the Sea Lion and Sea Tiger variants of the NH90 offers substantial logistical advantages. By utilizing a common airframe for both transport and combat roles, the German Navy can streamline pilot training, maintenance procedures, and spare parts supply chains. This commonality is crucial for maintaining high availability rates, a challenge that has plagued other complex helicopter programs in the past. However, the success of this strategy will depend on the reliability of the specialized mission systems unique to the Sea Tiger, particularly the integration of the new dipping sonar and tactical data links.
The Sea Tiger is designed to operate from the German Navy’s modern combat vessels. Due to its size, it is not compatible with the older F123 Brandenburg-class frigates. Instead, it will deploy from:
The helicopter also features Link 22 tactical data link connectivity, ensuring secure, beyond-line-of-sight communication with other NATO assets, a requirement for integrated naval operations in the North Atlantic.
What is the difference between the Sea Tiger and the Sea Lion?
While both are NH90 helicopters, the Sea Lion is optimized for transport and Search and Rescue (SAR), replacing the Sea King. The Sea Tiger is a combat variant equipped with sonar, torpedoes, and missiles to replace the Sea Lynx for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
How many Sea Tigers has Germany ordered?
The German Bundeswehr has ordered 31 NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters.
When will the fleet be fully operational? Deliveries began in December 2025, and the full fleet of 31 units is scheduled to be delivered by 2030.
What weapons does the Sea Tiger carry?
It carries MU90 Impact torpedoes for targeting submarines and Marte ER missiles for targeting surface ships.
German Navy Accepts First NH90 Sea Tiger Helicopter
Modernizing the Fleet for High-Intensity Conflict
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Sensors and Weaponry
Performance Profile
AirPro News Analysis
Operational Deployment
Frequently Asked Questions
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Photo Credit: Airbus