Germany’s Armed Forces are preparing to welcome a new state-of-the art naval helicopter in the shape of the NH90 Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter (MRFH), also known as the ‘Sea Tiger’.
The entry into service of the aircraft, which is scheduled for the end of this year, will mark the start of a new chapter of maritime aviation for the nation, with a platform tailored to meet Germany’s demanding naval requirements, which include anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and a wide range of maritime security operations.
Based on the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) version of the NH90, the MRFH features advanced sensors, integrated weapons, and optimised mission systems. Once operational, the Sea Tiger will become a force multiplier for the German Navy, extending the eyes, ears, and strike capabilities of its frigates into the open seas.
Viewpoint: Thomas Gut – VP Head of NH90 NAHEMO Programme
Thomas Gut, Head of the MRFH programme, emphasised the Sea Tiger’s role as a central component of Germany’s naval future: “The MRFH is not only an upgrade from previous platforms but also a leap forward in terms of integration, survivability, and mission effectiveness.
“The aircraft’s real strength lies in what it delivers to the crew – enabling them to detect threats quickly, assess situations and engage targets, whether submarines lurking below the surface or hostile ships beyond the horizon. This is made possible by the aircraft’s system architecture, which unites sonar, missile, and electro-optical technologies into a seamless operational package. In conjunction with the operating fleet, the MRFH is the extended eyes and ears of the frigate – increasing operational reach when necessary.”
Gut added that the NH90 MRFH will equip the Germany Navy with a “state-of-the-art naval platform,” designed for the complex maritime security environment of the 21st Century – the best platform in the world today!
The power of system integration
The NH90 MRFH is not defined by a single weapon or sensor but by the way its systems communicate and cooperate.
The helicopter fuses real-time data from multiple domains—underwater, surface, and aerial—into a common operational picture for the crew. This integration ensures rapid decision-making, precise targeting, and resilient operations in contested environments.
And just as cooperation between systems is essential for the MRFH’s success, collaboration across industrial partners is the foundation upon which the platform’s capability is built, giving the aircraft its operational edge.
Integration of MBDA Marte ER missile
Equipped with MBDA’s Marte ER anti-surface warfare missile, the MRFH gains a powerful strike capability against hostile vessels. The integration of the Marte ER into the mission system allows operators to seamlessly transition from detection and tracking to engagement, delivering lethal effect at ranges over 100km.
Watch the interview on MARTE integration on the MRFH
Integration of Leonardo Electro-Optical/Infra-Red LEOSS Camera
The LEOSS EO/IR sensor suite provides crews with enhanced surveillance and targeting, with high-definition imaging and laser designation capability. Fully integrated into the helicopter’s mission architecture, the system ensures persistent day-and-night observation, allowing operators to correlate visual information with sonar and radar data to achieve unmatched situational awareness.
Watch the interview of LEOSS-T integration on the MRFH
Integration of Thales Sonar Systems (ASW/ASuW)
For anti-submarine warfare, the Sea Tiger is fitted with the Thales Flash dipping sonar and sonobuoy systems. These advanced solutions allow the helicopter to track and classify underwater threats with high precision. Integration with the mission system means sonar contacts can be cross-referenced with surface and visual sensors—turning the helicopter into a decisive hunter of submarines and a vital shield for naval task groups.
Watch the interview of Thales Sonar System integration on the MRFH
Ready for every mission
The NH90 MRFH Sea Tiger embodies the future of naval aviation for Germany: a versatile, highly integrated platform that merges advanced missiles, electro-optics, and sonar into a single, combat-ready system. Its strength lies in integration—the seamless combination of systems that enable rapid, informed, and effective action at sea.
With the Sea Tiger entering service, the German Navy is equipping itself with a state-of-the-art, mission-ready maritime helicopter—one that extends the operational reach of its frigates and secures dominance in the underwater and surface battlespaces.
It’s no surprise that the German Navy can’t wait to start operating with the MRFH – the best naval ASW / ASuW helicopter on the market!