France Completes NH90 Caiman Helicopter Deliveries for Army

France’s General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) has received the last NH90 Caïman Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for the Army, marking the completion of deliveries for the fleet.

The final helicopter was handed over on February 4, at the Airbus Helicopters facility in Marignane.

With the gradual phase-out of Puma helicopters, the NH90 Caïman TTH now serves as the primary maneuver and assault platform for the Army, alongside the upgraded Cougar and Caracal helicopters. A total of 63 NH90s are in Army service, with an additional 27 operated by the Navy.

The NH90 is a twin-engine, 11-ton helicopter developed through European cooperation involving France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. It is available in two configurations: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for land-based missions and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) for maritime operations, including anti-submarine warfare and search-and-rescue missions.

Designed for troop transport, the NH90 TTH can carry up to 20 soldiers or 2.5 tonnes of cargo. It is also used for medical evacuation and logistics support. The helicopter features combat armor, countermeasures systems, rappelling devices, and air filtration for desert operations. It can also transport external loads using a sling.

A Special Forces variant of the NH90 TTH has been ordered, with 18 units planned—10 secured in 2020 and 8 more in 2023. Deliveries are scheduled between 2026 and 2029.

The NH90 program is managed for France by the DGA and overseen at the international level by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA). The NATO Helicopter Industries (NHI) consortium, which includes Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland), and Fokker, produces the aircraft. French NH90s are assembled at Airbus Helicopters' Marignane facility.

The NH90 Caïman has a length of 19.56 meters, a height of 5.31 meters, and an empty weight of 6,400 kg. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 10,600 kg, a cruising speed of 300 km/h, and a range of up to 1,600 km in ferry configuration. The helicopter has an operational endurance of four hours, plus a 30-minute reserve.