Portugal Abandoned the NH90

Portugal has suspended its participation in the development and production of European NH90 helicopter NHIndustries and resigned from the purchase of 10 machines of this type.

NH90 is produced by a consortium formed in 1992 NHIndustries (NHI), which includes the British-Italian Agusta Westland (32%), French Eurocopter (31.25%), German Eurocopter Deutschland (31.25%) and Stork Fokker Aerospace Dutch (5.5%). His prototype flew in December 1995. Entered into service in 2006. Portugal joined the program in 2001.

Ministry of Defence hopes to save up to 2020 420 million (approximately $ 560 million) and allocate the funds to support ongoing major military programs. Portuguese media mention in this context, the purchase of 260 transporters General Dynamics Pandur II 8x8 for army and Marine Corps. 218 of these vehicles produced in local factories Fabrequipa-Sociedade Industrial de Equipamento Rodoviário in Barreiro.


The main reason for the resignation of the NH90 TTH (Lisbon in 2001 ordered a variant of transport equipment for land forces) was the next year's obligation to pay the first tranche of 120 million Euro. Portuguese Defense Minister Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco announced this decision at the ceremony 60th anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force air base in Montijo. Turning to the pilots said that Portugal is where things must distinguish significant from the rest. 

The country has since 2010 faced with serious financial and economic crisis. The Minister also announced that it will be running to convert an estimated 50 million penalty for breaking the contract. Since 2001, when Portugal joined the NH90 program has paid for research and development of 87 million Euro. Minister hopes to indirectly recover some of these measures.


At the beginning of the main recipients of NH90 helicopters were France, Germany and Italy in 2001, joined by Portugal and the Netherlands. Later, a supply agreement entered into Australia, Belgium, Finland, Greece, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Spain and Sweden. The total order book included 573 machine NH90 transport version of TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) once sea NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter). 

The current financial crisis could lead to the impoverishment of orders. More and more governments in Europe, intends to reduce defense spending. Reductions in contracts to European helicopters announced the Germans, who have decided to reduce their number from 122 to 80.