The NH90 helicopter continues to evolve through both technological innovation and comprehensive product support strategies.
In a recent interview, Giuseppe Cellai and Nicolas Liard, Head and Deputy Head of Product Support & Training respectively, outlined the initiatives currently under way to strengthen support performance, reliability, and operational availability of the global NH90 fleet.
A resilient support strategy
Towards the persistent challenges faced worldwide in today’s Supply Chain, Giuseppe Cellai emphasized the results achieved in the past few years while underscoring a fundamental shift in approach: “We are not only delivering spare parts or services—we are delivering capabilities to our Nations.” This statement reflects NHIndustries’ transition from a transactional support model to more integrated performance-based frameworks. The aim is to maximise fleet readiness and minimise downtime for operators worldwide.
The NH90 operational support vision embodies this philosophy by progressively integrating predictive maintenance, advanced digital tools and closer collaboration with end-users. Through data analytics and fine monitoring, NHIndustries seeks to anticipate unscheduled maintenance activities before they occur, ensuring continuity of operations and reducing turnaround times.
Reinforcing customer engagement
Nicolas Liard emphasised the importance of responsiveness and customer proximity: “We are listening more, reacting faster and staying closer to our customers.” This customer-centric vision is reflected in the establishment of dedicated support teams and regional hubs, providing tailored assistance to national fleets.
NHIndustries has also invested significantly in training programmes and simulation technologies, enabling operators and maintainers to enhance their autonomy while ensuring harmonised standards across nations and missions.
Service By Hour and operational support plans: Transforming NH90 support delivery through innovation and performance
NHIndustries continues to advance the NH90 support framework to improve service delivery and operational readiness, focusing on service by hour and NH90 Operational Support (NOS) contracts. As highlighted by Nicolas Liard, these models represent a significant step in performance‑based logistics and a more customer‑focused support philosophy.
Together, service by hour and NOS are part of a comprehensive support ecosystem capable of adapting to the diverse operational profiles of NH90 users – whether in maritime, tactical, or special operations contexts.
Nicolas Liard also underscored the collaborative dimension of these programmes – working hand‑in‑hand with national support teams, tailoring solutions to each fleet’s unique requirements. “We provide a partnership, not just a service,” he said.
This cooperative approach ensures that support solutions remain aligned with national needs while maintaining the high standards of the NH90 programme.
