On December 8, 2011, at the French Naval Aviation base Lanveoc Poulmic, France, Chief of the French Navy Admiral Bernard Rogel formally marked the entry in operational service of the NH90 NFH Caiman helicopter.
The NH90 NFH Caiman will perform a large panel of missions such naval combat, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and maritime anti-terrorism missions.
The Caiman replaces the Lynx and the Super Frelon in the French Navy inventory.
These helicopters will be based at NAS Hyères and NAS Lanveoc. They will also be embarked on French “Forbin” and “Aquitaine” class frigates as well as on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and Mistral class BPCs.
The French Navy will receive 27 NH90 by 2020. As of today five have been delivered by NHIndustries.
The NH90 is the most successful European helicopter programme ever. Firm orders have been placed by 14 countries including France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece, Spain and Belgium in Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Oman overseas. The NH90, developed in the TTH utility transport and NFH naval versions, proves the ideal solution to meet requirements from many potential additional customers worldwide for a number of duties. The NH90 programme is managed by NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency) representing France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Portugal, and by the NHIndustries industrial consortium comprising AgustaWestland (32%), Eurocopter (62.5%), Fokker (5.5%).
