The NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) has awarded a EUR 15 million contract to NHIndustries (the consortium comprising Airbus, Leonardo and GKN Aerospace) to produce an architecture study for a Block 2 upgrade of the NH90 helicopter, it was announced on 20 April 2026

The study will focus essentially on defining a modular and scalable avionics architecture that will ensure the platform can integrate future technologies rapidly and seamlessly. It will also design a simplified maintenance plan to provide increased fleet availability and an improved life-cycle cost, as well as advanced mission capabilities through connectivity, collaborative combat and crewed/uncrewed teaming.

According to NHIndustries, the Block 2 architecture study will define the technical foundations and parameters of a next-generation NH90 configuration, with the target of meeting the operational requirements of the NH90 out to the 2040s and beyond.

NAHEMA contracted NHIndustries for a Block 1 upgrade to the NH90 (also known as Software Release 3) in June 2024. This contract included a first phase comprising an upgrade of the NH90 communication suite and the integration of Data Link 22, allowing beyond line-of-sight interoperability without going through satellite communications, as well as the integration of IFF Mod 5 Level 2 (the latest version of the system used to identify and track military aircraft).

The second phase of the programme covers deployment of the Block 1 configuration improvements on around 200 NH90s, including both NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) and Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) variants.

Airbus, which owns a 62.5% share in NHIndustries, stated in a press release that the Block 2 study “will run in parallel with the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) initiatives”. Asked by Warsight to explain this further, an Airbus spokesperson explained that “ENGRT for the moment focuses on technologies rather than designing a new platform” and that “some of these technologies are based on a modular open systems approach, survivability or repair and maintenance, which could benefit the NH90”. 

“The goal of the architecture study is to deliver the critical technical outputs necessary for NAHEMA and the nations to evaluate and select the upgrade design options that best align with their long-term sovereign capability needs,” Airbus stated.

The NH90 programme is Europe’s largest military helicopter programme; more than 530 helicopters have been delivered to customer worldwide, with that international fleet having surpassed 500,000 flight hours. The programme, however, has not, been with its issues due a combination of delivery delays, technical issues, high operational costs and low availability rates suffered by some NH90 users. Both Australia and Norway have retired their NH90 fleets, while Sweden has indicated it conduct a phased withdrawal of the type and in 2025 the Belgian Air Component deactivated its NH90 TTH variants (although the Belgian Naval Component still currently operates four NH90 NFH variants).

Asked by Warsight if the NH90 programme’s issues were behind it, the Airbus spokesperson replied, “We feel that the NH90 has now reached maturity. Measures have been taken to improve availability and improve operational readiness, like standard exchange and verticalised support contracts. We bought back parts from the Australian fleet that are now available for other NH90 users.

“A lot of NH90 users have expressed their satisfaction recently regarding their NH90 fleet,” the spokesperson added. “The NH90 has reached 500,000 flight hours and has been deployed with success in various operations. The signature of the Block 2 study is a sign that NH90 users are looking forward and investing into the future of the NH90.”