On July 10, 2025, Belgium announced its decision to withdraw the remaining four NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters (TTH) from service as early as September 1, 2025. Defense Minister Theo Francken justified this step on his X account, formerly Twitter, with the exorbitantly high operating costs and described the purchase as a "bad investment."
This decision follows a series of similar actions by other operating nations and once again highlights the challenges facing the once-celebrated European helicopter program. While the land component of the Belgian Armed Forces is phasing out the TTH version, the Navy is retaining the NH90 variants equipped for search and rescue missions and anti-submarine warfare.
Belgium's decision: A "bad purchase" and high costs
Belgium’s decision to four NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters (TTH) prematurely from service is a clear signal of dissatisfaction. Defense Minister Theo Franken In a sharp comment on X, formerly Twitter, he blamed the high operating costs of this helicopter type for the decision. He called the purchase a "bad buy" and maintenance "extremely expensive." These blunt words underscore the frustration with the financial burden that operating these helicopters places on the Belgian military. New replacement helicopters are scheduled for 2026, indicating a swift response by the Belgian government to the existing shortfalls.
The decision now in question relates exclusively to the four NH90 TTHsthat were deployed for land-based missions. The naval component of the Belgian armed forces will deploy its four NH90 in the NHF version (NATO Frigate Helicopter)equipped for search and rescue (SAR) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. This suggests that the issues leading to the retirement of the TTH version may be specific to its mission profile or the maintenance requirements of the land variant, or that the NH90's maritime capabilities are considered indispensable to the Belgian Navy.
The NH90: A European prestige project under criticism
The NH90 is a medium-heavy helicopter operated by NHIndustries (NHI) a pan-European consortium founded in the early 1990s by Eurocopter (a German-French joint venture that is now part of Airbus Helicopters), the Italian helicopter manufacturer Agusta (the forerunner of Leonardo) and the Dutch aerospace company Stork Fokker Aerospace (now Fokker Aerostructures). The project was once considered one of the Flagship projects of the European aerospace and defense industry which was intended to demonstrate Europe's ability to cooperate on complex armaments projects.
But the history of the NH90 since its introduction has been characterized by Series of problems These have led to several operators withdrawing their fleets from service earlier than originally planned. In particular, the NH90 was high operating costs criticized, which, depending on the source, ranges between 12.000 and 20.000 euros per flight hour Such costs are a significant burden for national armed forces under budgetary constraints. Furthermore, the helicopter is used as maintenance-intensive This affects the availability of the aircraft and thus the operational readiness of the armed forces. Spare parts are often expensive and difficult to obtain, which further complicates and increases the cost of maintenance.
The NH90's problems include reports of technical deficiencies, including issues with avionics, engines, and overall availability. Many armed forces have complained of lower-than-expected operational readiness, which impairs the ability to complete missions. The complexity of the system and the need for specialized maintenance teams also contribute to the high cost and difficulty of maintenance.
International reactions: retirements and new acquisitions
Before the Belgian decision, two prominent NH90 operators, Norway and Australia, announced their intention to withdraw their fleets from service. They also lack of operational reliability and high costs as the main reasons. Norway's decision to replace its NH90 fleet early followed years of problems with the helicopters' availability and ability to perform their maritime missions. Australia had also reported similar issues, particularly with regard to maintenance and the supply chain for spare parts. These countries' experiences are similar to the concerns now raised by Belgium and point to systemic problems that may extend beyond individual maintenance units.
However, these complaints and premature retirements have not prevented other countries from ordering more units of the type. France For example, as one of the main developers of the NH90, has received two consecutive orders for further 10 or 8 NH90 helicopters These additional helicopters are intended for use by the French Army's special forces and are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029. This could indicate that France continues to have confidence in the system despite its known problems, or that it is making specific adaptations to ensure operational capability for its needs. The French Army has a long history of using helicopters for special operations and may have specific configuration and support requirements.
Interestingly, it is also reported that Vietnam during a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron in May 2025, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to acquire an unspecified number of NH90 helicopters. These potential new orders, particularly from countries outside Europe, could indicate a nuanced perception of the helicopter's performance or geopolitical considerations. It is conceivable that for certain customers, the NH90's military capabilities outweigh its perceived advantages, despite the known challenges, or that specific export versions are less affected by the problems reported by European operators.
Future of the NH90: Adaptations and new markets
The divergent experiences and decisions of the NH90 operating countries paint a complex picture of the future of this helicopter type. While some nations, particularly in Western Europe and Australia, are phasing out due to cost and reliability issues, others are committed to continuing to purchase it. This could indicate differing national requirements, maintenance capacities, and financial frameworks.
NHIndustries and its partners, such as Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo, are likely working on solutions to improve reliability and reduce operating costs. The recent orders could also be the result of special offers, configuration adjustments, or enhanced support packages tailored to the specific needs of the new customers. The global military helicopter market is highly competitive, and manufacturers are under pressure to continuously improve their products.
For Belgium, the retirement of the TTH helicopters means that it will have to reassess its airlift capabilities and possibly switch to other types. This could have consequences for both defense planning and industrial cooperation within Europe. However, the decision to retain the naval variants demonstrates that it is not the entire helicopter type that is considered unusable, but rather the specific challenges of TTH operations and the associated costs.
Belgium's decision to prematurely retire its NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters is a further setback for the European NH90 program, which has long struggled with cost and reliability issues. While other nations such as France and potentially Vietnam continue to invest in the helicopter, Belgium's approach highlights the ongoing challenges that surround this once-prestige project. The debate about the efficiency and real operating costs of military equipment will continue to gain momentum in light of such decisions and will significantly influence future procurement policy in Europe.