The Australian Ministry of Defense has decided to permanently retire its fleet of 40 NH-90 medium helicopters ahead of schedule. The aircraft, locally called MRH-90 Taipan, were due to be written off in December 2024, but a recent accident made the government bring forward the decision. 

The aircraft had been grounded since July, after an accident killed four soldiers. “Today’s announcement in no way presupposes or suggests the outcome of the investigation into the tragic incident.”, said the Minister of Defense, Richard Marles, in the statement announcing the retirement of the helicopters. 

Initially acquired in 2004 through a contract covering 12 helicopters, the Australian NH-90s became a source of problems and a source of controversy. A project by Fokker, Airbus and Agusta (currently Leonardo), the NH-90 suffered a series of delays and had low availability rates. 

In the case of Australia, the aircraft only received the definitive operating certificate in 2019, five years later than initially planned. Furthermore, the first aircraft delivered in 2007 did not even reach the operational milestones established by the military, forcing interventions and redesigns. Problems with the Taipan also forced the extension of the service of the S-70 Black Hawk, which would be replaced by the NH-90. 

After so many problems and delays, in 2021 the government chose to retire the NRH-90 early at the end of 2024. In place of the Taipan, the Black Hawks are back. A fatal crash in July 2023 forced the grounding of the Army and Navy helicopter fleet for investigation. Having already purchased the Black Hawks, the Australian Ministry of Defense ended the career of the NH-90 in the country.

“The first of the 40 Black Hawks that will replace the MRH-90 have arrived and are already flying in Australia. We are focused on seeing your introduction to the service as quickly as possible.”, said the minister. 

Problems in Europe

This is not the first time that the NH-90 has been retired ahead of schedule. Following a series of dissatisfactions with the model and the support provided by manufacturers, Norway announced in June 2022 that it was writing off their own NH-90, and still requiring a reimbursement of US$500 million.

“It is a serious decision, but no matter how many hours the personnel work and no matter how many parts we order, the NH90 will not be able to meet the needs of the armed forces”, said the Minister of Defense of Norway, Bjørn Arild Gram, stating that the model spent more time in maintenance than flying.

Australia and Norway were not the only ones to have problems with the NHIndustries consortium helicopter. Although it still operates the NH-90, last year Sweden became the third country to give up the model, also selecting the Black Hawk as a replacement. 

Even with three withdrawals, the NH-90 remains in service in 12 other nations. 

With information via Reuters