Sweden is preparing to start phasing out its first nine NH90 tactical transport helicopters from 2027, as part of a wider restructuring of its military helicopter fleet. The aircraft, known in Sweden as HKP 14E, are expected to leave service while the maritime NH90 variant remains in operation pending a separate replacement plan.
The drawdown is linked to Sweden’s 2027 defence planning and follows years of availability and maintainability problems with the NH90 fleet. Sweden operates 18 NH90 helicopters in total, split evenly between the land-based HKP 14E tactical transport version and the naval HKP 14F maritime variant. The reported plan affects only the HKP 14E aircraft, not the naval fleet.
The move comes as Stockholm expands its Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk fleet to cover tactical transport and utility tasks. That shift points to a broader rotorcraft renewal effort and a reduced role for the NH90 in Swedish service, after the type has struggled to meet operational expectations. Implementation details, including the disposal method and timing for any replacement of the TTH role, have not been disclosed.