Norway To Go With Lynx Should NH90 Deliveries Lag

The Norwegian Defence ministry today outlined a plan should NHI Industries be unable to deliver helicopters to the country. Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide said today that acquiring the Lynx helicopters could be a possible option in place of the NH90 choppers. “The remaining flight time on our Lynx helicopters must be used with caution until we know with certainty when a sufficient number of new helicopters are in place,” said the defense minister. “This means that one is reluctant to use helicopters in situations where they would be advantageous, but not essential, in order to conserve the available in more critical situations,” said Eide. “I share with several others concerns about the operational availability of maritime helicopters,” said the defense minister. NH90 is a very modern, newly designed helicopter that possesses the characteristics requested by Norway, and which covers the future operational requirements for a maritime helicopter for both the Coast Guard and the Navy. Although the NH90 is still government's initial choice. “The problem is related to delayed deliveries from the manufacturer. Our concerns about the consequences of these delays have been duly communicated to the supplier, NH Industries. We will know within the next six months whether they have succeeded,” says Espen Barth Eide.