The German Navy has taken delivery of its first of 31 NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, through the joint venture NHIndustries, at its Nordholz base.
It is part of a contract signed with Airbus in 2020, with delivery of the full fleet expected by 2030. The choppers will gradually replace the navy’s aging Mk88A Sea Lynx fleet, which entered service in 1981.
The Sea Tiger will be used for Germany’s and NATO’s anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions, as well as reconnaissance and transport, in the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic.
Moreover, they will operate alongside the navy’s 18 existing NH90 Sea Lion naval transport helicopters, which were delivered to the service between 2019 and 2023 and fielded on maritime search and rescue missions and onboard 702-class replenishment ships.
In November 2024, the navy contracted German firm Reiser Simulation and Training to deliver an NH90 maintenance training rig, enabling crews to train on complex maintenance procedures ahead of the Sea Tiger’s arrival.
“We are extremely proud to deliver the first NH90 Sea Tiger today to the German Navy, on cost, on time and on quality,” said Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.
Sea Tiger
Representing the latest variant in the NH90 series, the Sea Tiger was configured to match the German Navy’s requirements.
The first in the fleet completed its maiden flight in Donauwörth, Bavaria, in late 2023, followed by further flight tests in 2024 before its delivery in December 2025.
It is fitted with a new electro-optical system and enhanced electronic support measures, as well as a dipping sonar and sonobuoys.
Meanwhile, its weapons include torpedoes and missiles.
NH90 helicopters are designed, manufactured, and supported by NHIndustries, which is owned by Airbus Helicopters with a 62.5 percent stake, Leonardo with 32 percent, and GKN Fokker at 5.5 percent.
