German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery
135 naval NH90 helicopters have already been delivered to six nations including Greece and the Netherlands. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters)
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
The German Navy has taken delivery of the first of its NHIndustries NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters, as the force pushes forward efforts to modernise its platforms and strengthen its anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare (AS/ASW) capabilities.
Speaking to media ahead of the delivery, Capt Broder Nielsen, commander of the German Navy’s Naval Air Force, said that the force would be accelerating deliveries of the Sea Tiger, with the aim to get them operational as soon as possible.
The German Navy ordered 31 Sea Tiger helicopters in 2019, with these intended to gradually replace its ageing fleet of 21 Westland Mk 88A Sea
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance]()
The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance
How RTX is equipping the military airspace – for today’s fleet and tomorrow’s fight.
-
![Will fresh FCAS talks resolve political turmoil?]()
Will fresh FCAS talks resolve political turmoil?
German, French and Spanish leadership set an end-of-year deadline to decide the fate of the Future Combat Air System programme which has struggled with a political stalemate for the latter half of 2025.
