First NH90-TTH delivered to Qatar
The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) has received their first of 28 NH Industries NH90 helicopters on order. The helicopter in question was flown to the Middle East from the Airbus Helicopters final production plant at Marignane (France) in the back of a QEAF C-17A at or around 10 December 2021.
On 14 March 2018, Qatar ordered 28 NH90s (sixteen Tactical Transport Helicopters and twelve Naval Frigate Helicopters) with another twelve on option (six of each type). The latter is assembled in Venice Tessera (Italy) at the premises of Leonardo Helicopters, which is the prime contractor for the agreement with Qatar. The first Venice Tessera built NH90-NFH variant has also been completed and is reported to be delivered soon.
The variant that was delivered from France, the NH90-TTH, is configured to transport troops. The first NH90-TTH, serial QA250 and test registration F-ZWBA, was reported flying from the production facilities at Marignane on 18 December 2020. This NH90 was in primer but with Qatar roundel. The construction number 1487 and the test registration were visible on a board behind a window.
The following two serial batches for the 28 helicopters are still subject to confirmation:
Photo by Damien Fournier