Airbus Delivers First NH90 Standard 2 to France

Airbus Helicopters delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 helicopter to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) on July 30, 2026, introducing a specialized tactical transport variant designed specifically for special operations forces.

In a press release issued Thursday, the manufacturer confirmed the handover took place at its facility in Marignane, France. The aircraft will be operationally based in Pau, France, with the French Army Aviation. The delivery marks the first of 18 Standard 2 airframes ordered by France, with the remaining fleet scheduled for completion by mid-2029.

Technical upgrades for special operations

The NH90 Standard 2 builds upon the existing NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) platform by integrating equipment tailored for degraded visual environments and complex mission profiles. The modifications are designed to support operations in hostile or low-visibility conditions.

Key technical upgrades include the integration of the Safran Euroflir 410 D electro-optical system (EOS) and a new digital map generator. The cabin configuration has been altered to include a station for a third crew member and enlarged rear sliding windows to accommodate self-protection guns.

The variant also includes provisions for the Direct Aperture System (DAS), a technology currently under development to improve flight visibility in challenging conditions such as snow, dust, and fog. These sensor systems integrate directly with the Thales TopOwl helmet to enhance crew situational awareness during low-level and night operations.

Program expansion and international orders

The NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) initially ordered the NH90 Standard 2 program from the NHIndustries consortium in 2020. The customer base expanded in December 2025 when Spain placed an order for 31 helicopters in a similar configuration.

“We are honoured to deliver this NH90 Standard 2 to the French armed forces. This new standard builds upon the proven capabilities of the NH90 TTH with new breakthrough features designed specifically for special forces,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

Louvot noted that Spain’s participation in developing the situational awareness features indicates the new standard is positioned to become a benchmark for special forces aviation units globally.

AirPro News analysis

The delivery of the NH90 Standard 2 represents a critical milestone for the NHIndustries consortium, which has faced scrutiny in recent years over NH90 availability rates, supply chain bottlenecks, and maintenance costs among various European operators. By successfully fielding a highly specialized variant tailored for the demanding requirements of French special forces, we view this as a stabilizing achievement for the broader NH90 program. The addition of Spain’s 31-aircraft order in late 2025 further solidifies the production backlog and spreads the development costs of the advanced sensor integration across multiple NATO partners, potentially making the Standard 2 upgrade path more attractive to other current NH90 operators.

Sources: Airbus