French DGA, Airbus Unveils All-new NH90 Caiman Standard 2 Helicopter

The French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) and Airbus Helicopters have presented the prototype of the NH90 Caiman Standard 2 helicopter for the first time at the SOFINS 2025 exhibition in Martignas-sur-Jalle, France.

This upgraded version of the NH90 is designed to support Special Forces operations, including commando insertion and extraction, fire support, and tactical communications.

Compared to the Standard 1 model, currently in service with conventional forces, the NH90 Standard 2 will feature an infrared camera with a laser pointer and designator (EOS410 from Safran), new weapons, and an enhanced radio communications system for joint and coalition operations. The aircraft is intended for deployment in all environments, including those with degraded visibility.

The DGA has placed an order for 18 NH90 Standard 2 helicopters from NHIndustries to equip the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment in Pau, replacing the Caracal and Cougar helicopters. Assembly has begun at the Marignane facility, with deliveries scheduled between summer 2026 and spring 2029.

The NH90, an 11-ton twin-engine helicopter, is developed by the NHIndustries consortium—comprising Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and Fokker—under a European cooperation involving France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The DGA has already procured 64 NH90 Standard 1 helicopters for the Army and 27 naval combat versions for the French Navy.