Rnzaf Nh90 Helicopters, RNZAF NH90 helicopters

Helicopters to cost $900m
01 August 2006
By HANK SCHOUTEN.

New helicopters for the Defence Force are set to cost about $900 million – $350 million more than the estimated cost four years ago.

Defence Minister Phil Goff yesterday signed a $771 million contract to buy eight NH90 helicopters to replace the air force's 14-strong fleet of 45-year-old Iroquois helicopters.

A related purchase of another six light-utility/training helicopters, set to be considered by Cabinet later this year, could cost another $120 million.

This makes it the most expensive defence project since the Government bought its two Anzac-class frigates in the early 1990s.

Mr Goff said the new NH90 helicopters supplied by Nato Helicopter Industries could fly faster, further and carry more than the Iroquois and would be the cornerstone of defence capabilities for the next 30 years.

They would be essential for battlefield and peacekeeping operations and a huge step forward for civil defence, police, customs and counter-terrorism work.

Each helicopter cost $50 million to $60 million – but the $771 million contract price included spares, logistic support, software and training.

Mr Goff denied this was a cost blowout. The original estimate of $400-$560 million for the project was made more than four years ago before these helicopters were off the production line.

Since then, the cost of military equipment had risen and the dollar had fallen against the euro.

"They are expensive but they will be the mainstay of our defence force for the next 30 years. Therefore I believe it's an important and valuable investment."

The NH90s will be delivered between 2010 and 2013. The Australian Defence Force has ordered 46 NH90s and a production line is being built in Australia. New Zealand's helicopters will be built in France.

Air force chief Graham Lintott said he was very pleased with the acquisition.

He said the new helicopters were very capable and had electronic warfare protections systems.

"We could operate this aircraft in Afghanistan where we couldn't fly the Iroquois because it is simply too dangerous," he said.

"We've got the best helicopter . . . it is new state-of-the-art technology and will provide a fantastic capability both militarily and in support of civil agencies for New Zealand."

Hmmmmm,

Only eight airframes!

You have to wonder what about the capability generation you can yeild from that when you take into account maintenance, training and non operational requirements!

For a force structure that has de-emphasised air as a primary defense capability for - that doesn't leave the Kiwi Army that much air-mobile support either.

BC

Some ramblings and thoughts:

Nice concerning the cross tasman relations.

Its a long way to France for the first warranty service?

Years ago we tried to get them to order Machis, Mirages etc.

Even earlier, tried to flog off to them some Spitfire Mk8s when they were going to Japan as part of the Occupation force in 1946. Let them have a broken down Mosquito

But had success in selling them two Frigates , a second hand P-3B, 10 TA/A4 Skyhawks amd heaps of F-88 Rifles.

Wonder if one of the retiring 36Sqn C-130Hs will end up there after having a grounded bird insignia sprayed on it? If only to plug the gap when they overhaul the first production RNZAF C-130Hs(1965!!)

We manage to buy off them some bargain Centurian tanks off them in the 60's and some 51 CT-4s (plus 12 civil BAE ones) during the 70's and 80's which were originally designed in Australia but given up as economically joke.

Phew,.....makes you wonder whether its one sided or at best, just the bucks.

Mind you half of them are over here anyway!!

So in the end, why are the heck then are they in our NRL and not the FRL if they don't want to play "ball" with us ???????????????????????

:lol:

Hey,

Australian Aviation states nine (9) and they're building them in Australia.?


Gordy :o

RNZAF websitesays 8 built in France see
http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/aircraft/nh90-helicopter.htm

True. I was throwing in the statement as a herring

Aust Defence Magazine states 8 and to be built in France. I couldn't believe such a quality Mag per Aust Aviation would make an error as such given the general information available.

Best
Gordy :o

Qty Nine being purchased, Qty 8 being delivered. It is actually cheaper to buy a complete air frame and break it down for spares and rotables etc, than buy those parts themselves.

My Goodness

Thanks for that,.....so it's right,..err sort of.

Amazing.

:blink:

Wow,

The fleet buyers are getting pretty savvy!

:blink:

BC

The word is a few spare blackhawks will be available for sale to NZ if they dont like spending the 350million extra... :P

Dec 7th 2011

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has taken delivery of two new French NH90 helicopters as part of the modernisation of New Zealand's armed forces.

The delivery follows a $771m order placed in 2006 with NH Industries and is part of New Zealand's NZ$3.3bn long-term development plan (LTDP) aimed at helping its military meet minimum capability levels.

The NH90, intended to replace the aging UH-1 Iroquois helicopters, will increase the prospect of New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF)engagement in distant ad-hoc coalitions.

The multi-role, medium-sized, twin-engine NH90 helicopters are capable of carrying over twice the Iroquois's payload and can operate in harsh military environments, over land and sea, day or night.

The aircraft are equipped with four-axis auto-pilot and advanced mission flight aids, specific mission and role-fit equipment, infrared and night vision systems, on-board monitoring and diagnostic systems, and fly-by-wire control technology.

The air force will also operate the helicopter from the New Zealand Navy's 9,000t multi-role vessel HMNZ Canterbury to enhance counter-terrorism, disaster relief, search and rescue, and other operation capabilities.

The RNZAF will receive the remaining six NH90s next year, and also received five new A109 helicopters to replace the old Sioux aircraft this year.


But,..........

The Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) new NH Industries-built NH90 aircraft is facing claims that it is flawed and may not fly in snowy conditions even after they have been fixed..

In a report, Auditor-General Lyn Provost said that the fleet of NH-90s were "prone to damage" from debris drawn into the engines and needed screens over the engines to mitigate the risk.

Provost criticised the purchase of the eight aircraft worth $700m, and added that the helicopters were "first of type" equipment.

The Chief of the Defence Force lieutenant general Rhys Jones, however, defended the claims and insisted that the problems identified had solutions.

"A solution has been identified, tested and is just going through the final verification before being implemented to NH90s globally," Jones added.


Seems we all have problems with these choppers.

Meanwhile, in dusty, hot and sometimes snowy Afghanistan, UH-60Ms run the roost,..Hoorah!!!

:blink:

Thanks Gordy,

Your observations are as astute as ever.

Let's hope for everone's sake that the NH90 woes can be satisfactorily resolved now that the decisions have been made and the acquistions have proceeded.

I'm sure that none of us would wish for a RAN Seasprite saga to arise out of this program as well.

To All,

Yesterday we published this new page on the type:

http://adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nznh90.htm

I know that NZ3303 and NZ3304 have already flown in France and that they were due for delivery last month. I'm not sure what their current status is.

Any corrections, updates or leads on additional information on this type in RNZAF Service would be great.

Cheers

BC

I saw NZ3306 outside the Eurocopter factory at Marseille last week.
It was fully painted, with French test reg F-ZWDV and c/n 1229 on a piece of paper in a window.
Andy Marden

Great Thanks Andy,

That helps fill in a few more gaps.

;)

Brendan

A correction to the page:
NZ3303 is c/n 1207, not 1237.
Andy

Thanks Andy,

I have corrected that and will post the updated page today.

http://adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nznh90.htm

Keep the updates coming!

:D

Brendan

The next two NH.90s left Marseille in an An-124 on 17 July. They were unloaded at Ohakea.

NZ3305 c/n 1241, ex F-ZWBC
NZ3306 c/n 1229, ex F-ZWDV

Andy

Thanks again Andy,

You're a star!

I still have no word on the C/N allocation, test registrations and updated delivery dates for NZ3307, 3308 & 3309.

I have updated the page with the new details for NZ3305 & NZ3306.

NZDF NH-90 Page

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers

Brendan

Brendan,
NZ3307 is c/n 1265, ex F-ZWBT.
Andy

Bravo!

Thanks for that.

I'll be away travelling for the rest of the week, but will update the page when I get back.

Cheers


Brendan

Repairs to new defence helicopter may cost more than $10m. 29 Sep 2013 Lynley Bilby

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article....jectid=11131713

Thanks Phil,

To ask the obvious question, I wonder which airframe is involved?

BC

Add

NH Industries NH90 c/n 1209 NZ3309(ZK)


Gordy ^_^

rong thread

This post has been edited by Luig on Mar 7 2015, 02:30 PM

Thanks Guys,

I've added a few of those details to the Kiwi NH90 page but we still have a bit further to go.

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nznh90.htm

Cheers

BC

Brendan,
NZ3308 is c/n 1267, ex F-ZWDE.
Also, the TNZA numbers run in strict c/n order, so:
1209 TNZA005
1229 TNZA006
1241 TNZA007
1265 TNZA008
1267 TNZA009
The serials listed are correct (although I personally have no knowledge of the spare being NZ3309)
Andy