Swedish Defence Agency (FMV) takes delivery of the first NH90 helicopter assembled in Finland
After the hand-over of the very first Swedish NH90 transport helicopter during Le Bourget 2007, FMV took delivery today of its second NH90, which is the first one assembled by Patria in Halli, Finland.
Marignane, 06 September 2007
Sweden signed a contract for 25 NH90 in September 2001, covering 18 firm orders of variants for the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH), which include 13 Tactical Troop Transport (TTT)/Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters and five Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), plus seven options. These helicopters are equipped with a complete new Tactical Mission System (TMS) developed by SAAB in cooperation with NHIndustries. Of the 18 NH90, 14 are to be assembled in Finland.
Sweden is the launch customer of the High Cabin Version (HCV) of the NH90 which features an increased usable cabin height by 24 centimetres, from 1.58 meters in the standard version to 1.82 meters. This variant allows operators and passengers to stand upright in the cabin.
Today’s delivered helicopter will be the first NH90 to be operated in Sweden by the Swedish Defence Forces initia lly for training purpose, while the one delivered during Le Bourget 2007 will support the Swedish instructors’ training programme in France until 2008.
Patria, which is a defence and aerospace group focusing on military aircraft and helicopter life cycle support services, is responsible for assembling most of the Nordic NH90 ordered by Sweden and Finland in the frame of an industrial cooperation agreement called Nordic Standard Helicopter Program (NSHP). Patria’s teams have been working very closely with Eurocopter and its partners for the past 3 years to acquire the requested knowledge and skills to assemble and maintain the NH90.
The Finnish assembly line was the 4th operational line to assemble the NH90, after the ones set up in France, Germany and Italy. A fifth assembly line, based in Australia, started producing the Australian NH90, called MRH90, in May 2007.
About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52% percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30% percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
100 years of vertical flight
In 1907, Paul Cornu performed history’s first ever vertical flight. Since then, thanks to pioneering spirits, technological advances and innovative minds, the helicopter has become a key to saving lives, protecting citizens and contributing to economic development the world over. In 2007, Eurocopter is proud to celebrate this anniversary and to share its passion for helicopters.
For more information, please contact:
| Cécile VION-LANCTUIT | Eurocopter |
Tel.: +33 (0)4 42 85 60 51 mailto: cecile.vion-lanctuit@eurocopter.com |
| Christina GOTZHEIN | Eurocopter |
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88 mailto: christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com |
| Pekkee SUM | Eurocopter |
Tel.: +33 (0)4 42 85 17 13 mailto: Pek-Kee.Sum@eurocopter.com |
| José M. RUBIO | Eurocopter |
Tel.: +34 (0)91 379 66 04 mailto: jose-maria.rubio@eurocopter.com |
| www.eurocopter.com |
