Replacements for the Vietnam War era Iroquois helicopters, eight new NH90 helicopters were ordered by the RNZAF in 2006 (at a cost of $NZ 771 million), but the first two only arrived from France on 6 December last at the Ohakea Airforce base in the Manawatu on board a Russian Antonov AN124 cargo aeroplane – one of the biggest aircraft in the world.
Two NH90s were taken for flights on Tuesday this week with staff from Nato Helicopter Industries (NHI) "to make sure all the controls and instruments and everything were working as they should since being shipped over from France."
Six more NH90s are still to be delivered, with the Ministry of Defence hoping the next two could arrive as early as next month. They will be delivered in three more shipments of two helicopters on board the Antonov. They will be on display to the public at next month's Royal New Zealand Air Force's 75th Anniversary Air Show, along with a number of other aircraft from six different countries.
The French Armed Forces of New Caledonia, Singapore Air Force, Royal Air Force, Australian Air Force, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps will join with the New Zealand Air Force to perform air and ground displays at Ohakea on 31 March.
More info and pics, including an RNZAF customised Microsoft Flight Simulator download, here
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