New helicopters for Belgian Air Force
The current Minister of Defence (MoD), Ludivine Dedonder, wants to add 3 billion euros to the 2016 strategic plan for new equipment. The main part of the additional budget will be invested in new helicopters.
According to the information, the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces (Belgian Air Force) plans to buy eighteen new helicopters as a replacement for the NH90-TTH medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter and the Agusta A109 lightweight, twin-engine, multi-purpose helicopter. The eighteen helicopters are to be divided in fourteen light helicopters and four heavier ones, together capable of transporting a combat company of one hundred men.
In June 2020, Scramble Magazine reported on the rumours indicating that the Belgian Air Force was planning to early retire the four NH90-TTH helicopters. The air force also uses four NH90-NFH versions which are primarily used for Search And Rescue (SAR). According to Ludivine Dedonder, the NH90-NFHs will be released from their SAR mission and solely concentrate on missions aboard the Belgian Navy frigates. The SAR mission would be taken over by four new helicopters.
No information has been released on the timelines of this programme. The Airbus Helicopters H145M has been named as a possible replacement candidate for the light helicopter. No candidates have been given for the heavy helicopters.
Photo by Niels Quist (Scramble Archive)