Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to France’s Armament General Directorate in Marignane, handing over the special-operations-configured helicopter under an 18-aircraft programme for the French Army. The new NH90 TTH variant is intended for the army aviation special forces squadron in Pau, where it will start replacing Caracal and Cougar helicopters in service.
The DGA has described the aircraft as a mission-specific platform for special operations, giving French forces additional capabilities for intervention across different theatres. Deliveries of the NH90 Standard 2 fleet are scheduled to continue through spring 2029, with the type forming part of France’s wider effort to modernise its rotary-wing support for special forces. The first handover follows the programme schedule already set out for the aircraft, with the fleet eventually allocated to the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment.