Airbus Helicopters has 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) for the French Armed Forces.
France has ordered 18 NH90 Standard 2 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled to continue through mid-2029. The aircraft will be operated by the French Army Aviation’s special forces squadron based in Pau, enhancing the country’s rotary-wing capabilities for complex special operations missions.
The NH90 Standard 2 introduces a range of mission-specific enhancements designed to improve operational effectiveness in demanding environments. The helicopter is equipped with the Safran Euroflir 410D electro-optical system, a new digital map generator, provisions for a third crew member, and enlarged rear sliding windows that can accommodate self-protection weapons.
The aircraft has also been designed to support the future integration of a Direct Aperture System (DAS), currently under development, which will improve pilot visibility during operations in degraded visual environments such as snow, dust and fog, both during daytime and night missions. Future upgrades will also include the fully digital Thales TopOwl helmet, capable of displaying imagery from both the DAS and electro-optical system directly on the pilot’s visor to enhance situational awareness.
“We are honoured to deliver this NH90 Standard 2 to the French armed forces,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. He highlighted, “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 further adds, “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 NH90 Standard 2 programme was launched in 2020 under a contract awarded by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) to NHIndustries and its industrial partners, Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and GKN Fokker.
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The programme has also gained additional international support. In December 2025, Spain joined the initiative by ordering 31 NH90 helicopters configured to the same Standard 2 specification, reflecting growing adoption of the enhanced platform for special operations missions.
NHIndustries, the manufacturer of the NH90, is a joint venture owned by Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%) and GKN Fokker (5.5%). The consortium is responsible for the design, production and lifecycle support of the NH90, one of the most advanced multi-role military helicopters currently in service.
