Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany, said: “We are extremely proud to deliver the first NH90 Sea Tiger today to the German Navy, on cost, on time and on quality.” He added: “The Sea Tiger will provide the Navy with a powerful tool to defend Germany’s, Europe’s and NATO’s borders in the Baltic Sea and in the Atlantic – offering outstanding anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.”
The NH90 Sea Tiger will gradually replace the German Navy’s Mk88A Sea Lynx fleet, which entered service in 1981. The Navy already operates 18 NH90 Sea Lion naval transport helicopters delivered between 2019 and 2023, which are used for maritime search and rescue and aboard 702-class replenishment ships.
As the latest evolution of the NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter, the Sea Tiger is designed to meet German Navy requirements for state-of-the-art anti-submarine warfare. It features a new electro-optical system, improved electronic support measures, a dipping sonar, sonobuoys, and weapons including torpedoes and missiles, all of which have been tested in campaigns in the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea.
To date, 135 naval NH90 helicopters have been delivered to six nations and have logged more than 90,000 flight hours in search and rescue, humanitarian and military operations. Worldwide, more than 530 NH90 helicopters are in service and have accumulated close to 500,000 flight hours.
NHIndustries is responsible for the design, manufacture and support of the NH90 helicopter and is the largest joint venture in the rotorcraft sector. The company is owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and GKN Fokker, combining expertise from across the European aerospace and defence industry.
