Last NH90 / HKP14 handed over to FMV

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announces that it has taken delivery of the last aircraft of the 18 NH90s ordered from NHIndustries back in September 2001. In total, 15 NH90s, locally designated HKP 14, are now in service with the Swedish Armed Forces Helicopter Wing. Five of these are anti-submarine warfare (ASW) versions. Adding to that, three of the first delivered helicopters are currently back at the factory for retrofitting.

The acquisition of the NH90 has been cornered by late deliveries and political turbulence. It even triggered the purchase of 15 brand-new Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks back in 2011 - a system that was fully delivered, operational and deployed in exactly two years.

The NH90s were originally expected to be delivered between 2005 and 2009, but the first
Swedish high-cabin version didn’t make its initial flight until 2005. The Defence Materiel Administration officially handed over the first four aircraft to the Swedish Armed Forces in April 2011. These were in a basic configuration (A- and B versions). Two out of five intended C versions, enhanced basic models (“eBasic”), were handed over to the FMV, but the version was never accepted.

The first mission-ready NH90 was handed over to the Swedish Armed Forces in December 2013. This “International Mission” version, designated HKP 14D, is an all-weather mission helicopter with a completely new tactical system, and it features a deicing system, weather radar, digital maps, ballistic protection, warning/countermeasure system, laser rangefinder as well as electro-optical/infrared sensors.

Two years later, in December 2015, the first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version was handed over. This aircraft, designated HKP 14F, is equipped with a mission system tailored to the Swedish specifications, including a dipping sonar and a multi-mode tactical radar.

In late 2015, FMV and NHIndustries agreed to modify the four basic A/B-versions into HKP 14F (ASW) models, subsequently distributing the number of maritime and inland versions equally. All inland versions will eventually be further upgraded into a final E version, which is an inland version with SAR capabilities.

The fleet of HKP 14 is operated from two bases in Sweden – Luleå in the north and Kallinge in the south.