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Sweden plans to join its close neighbor Norway in getting rid of NH Industries’ NH90 helicopter as a component of the new defense apparatus and spending plans.
Revealed on November 1, proposals from General Micael Byden, head of the Swedish army, will see the country withdraw NH90s operated through its armed forces for battlefield and naval missions, replacing them with more Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks respectively. type yet to be determined.
Earlier this year, Stockholm commissioned a review of the functionality of its NH90 fleet, with regard to upgrades needed to bolster the type’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Availability issues with the APC variant were also a concern.
Based on this process, Byden’s plans call for the HKP-14E and -14F, the Swedish designations for NH90 maritime and troop transport helicopters, to be “dismantled” during the era of 2024 to 2030. The 18-man fleet consisted of nine versions.
Under the proposals, Stockholm will start buying a new maritime helicopter in the period 2024-2030, while also buying more Black Hawks for the battlefield aid function.
“The purpose is to respond earlier to operational desires and increase the availability of the helicopter fleet to fulfill the wishes of the army, special forces and navy,” the plans say.
The retirement of the NH90 fleet will be completed no later than 2035, along with the acquisition of new Black Hawks, the document says.
In addition, Sweden will initiate the retirement of its fleet of 20 Leonardo Helicopters AW109M light twin-engine aircraft in the period 2024-2030, and this process will be completed until 2035.
By 2035, its helicopter fleet will have nine for naval operations and 27 for battlefield support. It currently operates 15 UH-60s that were acquired due to delays in the NH90 program.
The Stockholm resolution, which has yet to be officially approved by the government, is the latest blow to NH90 in the region. Earlier this year, Norway announced it was cancelling its contract with NH Industries and returning helicopters it had already won due to delivery delays and a lack of capacity.
Australia also has to upgrade its NH90 fleet with Black Hawks due to availability issues.
NH Industries (NHI), a tripartite consortium joining Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters and GKN/Fokker, says it “recognises” the Swedes and streamlining their helicopter fleet “by adding the phasing out of their existing NH90 fleet”.
This indicates the customization of the helicopters for Sweden’s wishes: adding a higher cockpit and a tactical project formula developed through Saab for the naval version. In addition, the NHI notes that the availability rates of the country’s NH90 have been “above average for similar helicopter types. “, the length of the available fleet has been “temporarily reduced” in recent years due to a modernisation and upgrade programme underway since 2017, but due to end by the end of 2023.
“The planned return to service of all Swedish NH90s at that time will increase fleet availability. The NHI has also proposed to the Swedish Armed Forces in recent months additional measures that can limit availability and reduce operating costs with limited efforts,” the consortium said. Explains.
This story has been updated with feedback from NH Industries.
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