NATO’s Helicopter Management Agency has commissioned NHIndustries to deliver three NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopters to the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force, with an option for two more. The purchase expands the Dutch maritime helicopter fleet to potentially 22 aircraft. The new helicopters will be assembled by Leonardo in Italy and equipped with the latest Block 1/Software Release 3 package integrating modern avionics, Data Link 22 beyond-line-of-sight communication, a next-generation electro-optical suite, upgraded acoustics, and expanded weapons compatibility. The Netherlands will also upgrade its existing NH90 fleet to the same standard, creating a unified configuration that simplifies training, improves fleet readiness, and enhances interoperability with NATO partners. Deliveries are expected around 2030. The acquisition reinforces the Netherlands’ long-standing participation in the multinational NH90 program, which it joined as a founding member in 1999.
