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First Finnish NH90 Helicopters Due by Year-End
Posted on: Mar. 23rd, 2006 || www.defense-aerospace.com

The Finnish military is to receive the first four examples of its new NHIndustries NH90 tactical transport helicopters by the end of the year, the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) told the Finnish News Agency (STT).

Deliveries of what will eventually be a fleet of 20 NH90s have been hampered for almost two years by the lack of Finnish type approval.

Colonel Mika Soininen, the head of the army aviation department, told STT that the FDF would take delivery of the first aircraft in France in September. The first helicopter will be put through its paces in the so-called ready for acceptance test flights in June.

Col Soininen added that the aircraft might receive type approval already in July. Acceptance checks would then last for about two months. However, the timetable is conditional upon the timely completion of test flights of the first NH90 assembled for Germany.

Until the NH90s arrive, the Finnish army will continue to use four Soviet-made Mil Mi-8 troop transport helicopters.

Finnish aerospace and defence group Patria will assemble 50 NH90s. The first example assembled at the Jämsä facility made its maiden flight in July 2005.

NHIndustries is owned by Franco-German Eurocopter, Agusta of Italy and Stork Fokker Aerospace of the Netherlands.

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