MARIGNANE, France — Airbus Helicopters has officially delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 helicopter to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA), marking the introduction of a new special operations variant of the NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH).
France has ordered 18 NH90 Standard 2 helicopters, comprising 10 upgraded NH90 TTHs and eight new-build aircraft, with deliveries scheduled through mid-2029. The fleet will be operated by the French Army Aviation’s special forces squadron based in Pau. In December 2025, Spain joined the programme with an order for 31 NH90 helicopters in a similar configuration.
Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said: "We are honoured to deliver this NH90 Standard 2 to the French armed forces. This new standard builds upon the proven capabilities of the NH90 TTH with new breakthrough features designed specifically for special forces. More than ever, special forces operators will be able to execute their difficult missions in the toughest environments." He added: "We are very pleased that Spain has also joined the development of the features that will enhance the crew’s situational awareness. It shows that this new standard of the NH90 is on its way to becoming the benchmark for special forces across the world."
The Standard 2 configuration integrates the Safran Euroflir 410D electro-optical system, a new digital map generator, provisions for a third crew member and enlarged rear sliding windows capable of accommodating self-protection guns.
The helicopter is also prepared for rapid integration of the Direct Aperture System (DAS), currently under development, which is designed to improve pilot visibility in degraded visual environments such as snow, dust and fog, both during day and night operations. Future enhancements will also include a fully digital Thales TopOwl helmet capable of simultaneously displaying imagery from both the DAS and the electro-optical system directly on the pilot’s visor.
The NH90 Standard 2 programme was awarded in 2020 by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) to NHIndustries and its industrial partners Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and GKN Fokker.
About Airbus Helicopters: Airbus Helicopters is the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer and the rotorcraft division of Airbus. The company designs, manufactures and supports civil and military helicopters used in more than 150 countries for missions including transport, emergency medical services, search and rescue, law enforcement, offshore energy and defense operations.
