Defense & Military
Airbus Delivers First NH90 Standard 2 to France in 2026
Airbus Helicopters delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to France on July 30, 2026, for special operations forces.
Airbus Helicopters delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) on July 30, 2026, introducing a heavily modified tactical transport variant engineered specifically for special operations forces.
The handover in Marignane, France, initiates a fleet modernization effort for the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment based in Pau. According to an Airbus Helicopters press release, France will receive a total of 18 NH90 Standard 2 airframes by mid-2029.
Avionics and structural modifications
The NH90 Standard 2 builds upon the existing NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) platform with targeted structural and digital upgrades. To support operations in degraded visual environments, the aircraft integrates the Safran Euroflir 410 D electro-optical system (EOS) and a new Direct Aperture System (DAS). Both sensor suites interface directly with the Thales TopOwl helmet-mounted display to improve crew situational awareness.
Structural changes prioritize rapid troop deployment and defensive capabilities. Engineers relocated the defensive weapon stations to open hatches at the rear of the fuselage, ensuring the main cabin doors remain unobstructed for commando insertion and extraction. With the addition of external fuel tanks, the aircraft achieves an operational range of 1,000 kilometers.
The variant also features a removable radio kit bay known as ‘KAMORA’ to manage complex communication requirements.
“Integrating a new communications system is a complex and costly process. The NH90 Standard 2 comes pre-equipped with antennas and cabling to accommodate any type of new radio installation. Voice, data, satellite transmission, everything can be installed quickly and easily in the helicopter, which also has the capacity to control drones. It is revolutionary,” an officer from the ALAT 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment stated in an Airbus publication.
Program development and international orders
The NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) formally ordered the NH90 Standard 2 program in October 2020. Following initial prototype flight testing in June 2024, production commenced in early 2025.
The NH90 program is managed by NHIndustries, a joint venture comprising Airbus Helicopters with a 62.5 percent stake, Leonardo with 32 percent, and GKN Fokker holding the remaining 5.5 percent.
While France is the launch customer, the variant has secured additional European commitments. In December 2025, Spain ordered 31 NH90 helicopters in a similar configuration.
“We are very pleased that Spain has also joined the development of the features that will enhance the crew’s situational awareness,” Airbus Helicopters CEO Matthieu Louvot said in the company’s press release. “It shows that this new standard of the NH90 is on its way to becoming the benchmark for special forces across the world.”
AirPro News analysis
The delivery of the NH90 Standard 2 highlights a growing requirement among European militaries for rotary-wing assets that can seamlessly integrate with unmanned systems and operate in highly contested environments. By pre-wiring the airframe for modular communication upgrades and drone control, Airbus and the NHIndustries consortium are positioning the platform to adapt to rapid advancements in battlefield networking. Spain’s decision to procure 31 airframes in a similar standard suggests the Standard 2 configuration may establish a baseline for NATO special operations interoperability over the next decade.
Photo Credit: Airbus