What NHIndustries does

NHIndustries SAS is a French joint venture company established in 1992 by Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%), and GKN Fokker Aerospace (5.5%) to design, develop, produce, and support the NH90 military helicopter programme. Headquartered at the newly inaugurated Lumiere Building in Aix-en-Provence, the company serves armed forces across 14 nations — primarily NATO members in Europe plus allied export customers in the Middle East (Qatar, Oman) and Oceania (New Zealand) — with 530+ helicopters delivered and 500,000+ flight hours accumulated across the global fleet. Eighteen operators currently run the platform, including major fleets in Spain (76 post-expansion), Italy (56), Germany (~49 across Sea Lion and Sea Tiger), France, the Netherlands, and Qatar; Norway exited the programme in November 2025 following a EUR 305M settlement.

The NH90 is a multi-role military helicopter built on a full composite airframe with a quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control system (dual digital and dual analogue redundancy) and integrated modular avionics featuring five NVG-compatible displays and a helmet sight display. Two principal variants serve the customer base: the NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter), optimised for shipborne ASW, ASuW, SAR, and surveillance in sea states up to 5 with automatic blade/tail folding; and the TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter), used for troop transport (up to 20 troops), special operations, combat SAR, and electronic warfare. Country-specific derivatives include the German Navy Sea Lion and Sea Tiger (MRFH), Spanish GSPA and MSPT special-forces configurations, and Italian SH-90A and MH-90A naval/transport variants. The platform integrates mission systems from MBDA (Marte ER anti-ship missiles, 100km+ engagement range), Thales (Flash dipping sonar, sonobuoys), Leonardo (LEOSS electro-optical/infra-red cameras), Safran (DAS distributed aperture system), Thales Avionics (Helmet Mounted Sight Digital Display), Indra, and Eurotorp (MU90 torpedoes), and was the first helicopter qualified with Data Link 22 for secure LOS and BLOS communications. A 50-year service life extension positions the airframe for operations into the 2080s.

NHIndustries generates revenue through direct government defence procurement contracts and multi-year support agreements, primarily administered via NAHEMA for participating European nations and via direct export contracts for allied customers. The revenue model combines one-time helicopter sales (NFH, TTH, and specialised variants), recurring support contracts including NOS performance-based agreements covering up to 239 aircraft across France, Germany, and Belgium over 15-year horizons, service-by-the-hour and time-and-material agreements, and a turnkey training and simulation services business (eLearning, Part Task Trainers, Level D Full Flight Simulators, MPAS mission planning, and GLIMS ground logistics). Disclosed recent contract activity includes the EUR 600M+ Software Release 3 (SWR3) development contract for the Block 1 retrofit covering more than 200 aircraft, Spain's order for 31 additional TTH helicopters, the Netherlands' order for 3 additional NFH, a EUR 50M Greek five-year support contract, and the EUR 15M Block 2 architecture study signed in April 2026. Annual sustainment operations include 35,000 spares deliveries, 10,000+ part numbers in stock, and 8,500 component repairs across three global distribution hubs.

Name

NHIndustries

Legal name

NHIndustries SAS

Website

https://nhindustries.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

NHIndustries SAS is a European joint venture of Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and GKN Fokker Aerospace that designs, produces, and supports the NH90 multi-role military helicopter for armed forces across 14 nations, including NFH naval and TTH tactical variants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Helicopters

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft (3721), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Rotorcraft Platforms (IMABAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military/Defense Helicopter Manufacturing (IMABABAB)

Keywords

• Military helicopter manufacturing
• Naval helicopter systems
• Tactical transport aircraft
• Helicopter support services
• Flight simulation training

Headquarters

HQ city

Aix-en-provence

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Helicopter Sales: Direct sale of NH90 helicopters in TTH and NFH configurations to government military customers. Contracts are typically long-term defense procurement agreements through NAHEMA for participating nations or direct export contracts.
2. Product Support and Maintenance Contracts: Comprehensive support contracts including spare parts provisioning, maintenance services, and sustainment solutions. Includes NOS (NH90 Operational Support) performance-based contracts and service-by-hour agreements.
3. Training and Simulation Services: Turnkey training solutions including simulation devices, flight training devices, and maintenance training simulators provided to operators.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NHIndustries designs, develops, produces, and supports the NH90 multi-role military helicopter family in NFH (maritime/frigate) and TTH (tactical transport) configurations, plus country-specific variants and upgrade blocks. The company also delivers turnkey in-service support through performance-based contracts (NOS), spare parts provisioning, maintenance and overhaul, and a full suite of simulation, training, mission planning (MPAS), and logistics management (GLIMS) services for military operators.

Product overview

NHIndustries is a joint venture between Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%), and GKN Fokker Aerospace (5.5%) that designs, produces, and supports the NH90 helicopter - Europe's largest military helicopter programme. The company offers the NH90 platform in two primary variants: the NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) for maritime operations and the TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) for land-based operations. Both variants share a common core architecture including full composite airframe, quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control system, and integrated mission systems. The product portfolio extends to specialised variants like the German Navy's Sea Tiger (MRFH) and Sea Lion, and country-specific configurations such as Spain's GSPA (Special Forces) and MSPT (Navy) variants. Beyond aircraft, NHIndustries provides comprehensive lifecycle support including turnkey solutions, service-by-the-hour contracts, simulation and training services (eLearning, Full Mission Simulators, Virtual Maintenance Trainers), mission planning tools (MPAS), and ground logistic management systems (GLIMS). The programme supports 530+ helicopters delivered worldwide with 500,000+ flight hours, operated by 18 nations including France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, and Qatar.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NH90 Helicopter Next-generation, multi-role military helicopter featuring a fully composite airframe, quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control system, and spacious cabin. Designed against NATO staff requirements for fleet standardisation across land and maritime operations, with a 50-year service life extending into the 2080s.
• NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) Maritime-optimised variant of the NH90 designed for shipborne operations up to sea state 5. Capabilities include Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search and Rescue, Maritime Surveillance, and Special Operations. Features automatic blade and tail folding, comprehensive mission system with radar, FLIR, dipping sonar, sonobuoys, and weapon integration including torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
• NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) Land-based tactical transport variant of the NH90 for demanding military standards. Mission capabilities include troop transport (up to 20 troops), logistic transport, Search and Rescue, Special Operations, Combat Search and Rescue, and Electronic Warfare. Features include 4,000 kg cargo hook, rescue hoist, armour protection, self-protection suite, and advanced avionics.
• NH90 MRFH Sea Tiger German Navy's naval variant of the NH90 tailored for advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Features new Electro-Optical System, improved Electronic Support Measures, dipping sonar, sonobuoys, and a comprehensive weapons package including MBDA Marte ER missiles, Thales Flash dipping sonar, and Leonardo LEOSS camera.
• NH90 Sea Lion German Navy's naval transport helicopter variant of the NH90, with 18 helicopters delivered on schedule between 2019 and 2023.
• NH90 Block 1 / Software Release 3 (SWR3) Mid-life configuration upgrade for the NH90 introducing Data Link 22, next-generation high-definition Electro-Optical system (LEOSS-T), OTS-90 Mark II sonar, civil GNSS/FMS, and additional weapons integration. Retrofit programme expected to cover more than 200 aircraft.
• NH90 GSPA (Special Forces Configuration) Spain's advanced NH90 TTH configuration for special operations. Features Distributed Aperture System (DAS), latest-generation front fuselage architecture, Mission Flight Aid (MFA), and Helmet Mounted Sight Digital Display (HMSDD-DD) for enhanced situational awareness in degraded visual conditions.
• NH90 MSPT (Multi-role Special Operations Platform) Spanish Navy's multi-role special operations variant configuration of the NH90 TTH platform.
• NH90 Product Support Services Comprehensive support packages for the NH90 fleet including Turnkey Solutions (full operational and maintenance services), Service-by-the-Hour (full material support), Time and Material contracts, spare parts provisioning, and repair and overhaul services.
• NH90 Operational Support (NOS) Performance-based support contract managed by NAHEMA under which nations delegate logistics and maintenance activities to industry. Covers continuing airworthiness management, parts management, and operational support, with a five-year initial term and two optional five-year extensions (15 years total).
• NH90 Simulation and Training Services Turnkey training solutions for the NH90 including an eLearning platform with 3D content, schematics and tutorials, Virtual Maintenance Trainer (VMT), Part Task Trainer (PTT), Flight Training Device/Full Mission Simulator (FTD/FMS), Rear Crew Trainer, Maintenance Mock-up, and Maintenance Training Simulator (MTS). Primary training locations at Airbus Helicopters Training Services (Marignane) and Leonardo Helicopters (Sesto Calende).
• NH90 Mission Planning and Analysis System (MPAS) Digital mission planning tool for NH90 briefing and debriefing, with advanced flight performance analysis, weight and balance management, tactical scenario preparation, route planning with terrain risk identification, and post-mission flight data replay.
• NH90 Ground Logistic Information Management System (GLIMS) On-ground health and usage monitoring system supporting first-level maintenance activities for the NH90. Handles data downloaded from aircraft, assesses serviceability, retrieves component status and usage data, assists in planning periodic maintenance, and analyses HUMS data.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ flight hours accumulated across global fleet
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Contracting authority managing NH90 programme on behalf of participating NATO nations. Signed 15 Million EURO Block 2 architecture study contract. Oversees development, production, and in-service support for European NH90 operators.
• NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2024Signed 600M+ Euro Software Release 3 (SWR3) development contract for Block 1 upgrade including Data Link 22, next-generation electro-optical systems, and enhanced sonar capabilities.
• Airbus HelicopterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary parent company holding 62.5% stake in NHI. Responsible for power plant, rotors, electrical system, flight control system, core avionic system, and production assembly. Key contributor to NH90 programme design and development.
• LeonardocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company holding 32% stake in NHI. Responsible for rear fuselage, main gearbox, hydraulic system, AFCS, plant management system, and NFH mission system. Operates Tessera assembly line in Italy.
• GKN Fokker AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company holding 5.5% stake in NHI. Responsible for tail structure, doors, sponsons, landing gear, and intermediate gearbox. Contributes to programme through specialized aerostructures expertise.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin): Direct competitor in medium/heavy military rotorcraft with the UH-60 Black Hawk family (land tactical transport) and SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk family (naval ASW/ASuW), serving the same NATO and allied customer base with overlapping mission profiles to the NH90 TTH and NFH.
• Boeing Defense, Space & Security: Direct competitor via the CH-47 Chinook (heavy tactical transport, competing with NH90 TTH in heavy-lift roles) and AH-64 Apache, serving US and many NATO/allied militaries with comparable platform positioning and lifecycle support models.
• Bell: Direct competitor offering the V-22 Osprey (tiltrotor competing in multi-role missions), AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom (military utility/attack). Bell is pursuing next-generation military rotorcraft programs that overlap with NH90's roadmap.

Broad incumbents

• Leonardo (Helicopters Division): 32% parent of NHIndustries and a broader military and civil helicopter incumbent with AW139, AW149, AW101 Merlin, and AW249 platforms that compete in adjacent segments to NH90, particularly in European and Italian markets.
• Airbus Helicopters: 62.5% parent of NHIndustries and a major global military helicopter OEM with Tiger, H145M, H160M, H225M Caracal, and future NGR (Next Generation Rotorcraft) programmes that compete in overlapping European military segments with the NH90.

Emerging players

• Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ): Emerging competitor developing T625 Gökbey (light/medium multirole) and T129 ATAK, targeting both domestic Turkish and export military markets where NH90 also competes, particularly in NATO-accessible and Middle Eastern procurements.
• Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI): Emerging competitor developing the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) and Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH-1 Surion), positioning as an indigenous alternative in Asia-Pacific military markets adjacent to NH90's New Zealand and export Asia footprint.

Regional players

• Russian Helicopters (Rostec): Regional competitor offering Mi-8/17, Mi-28, Ka-52, and Mi-38 platforms in non-Western markets (CIS, Africa, parts of Asia). Western sanctions effectively exclude Russian platforms from NH90's NATO core market but they compete for budget-constrained and non-aligned export customers.
• AVIC Helicopters (China): Regional competitor with Z-10 attack helicopter and Z-20 (Black Hawk-class) utility helicopter. Competes with NH90 primarily in Asian and African markets, often at lower price points, but offers comparable mission capabilities for non-NATO customers.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Regional competitor producing the Dhruv ALH, LCH Prachand, and proposed Indian Medium Multirole Helicopter (IMRH) for Indian armed forces. Competes with NH90 primarily in the Indian market and as an offset-driven option in select export bids.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nhindustriessas
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@nhindustries.nh90
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nh-industries
• Instagraminstagram.com/nhindustries.nh90/?hl=it

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NHIndustries