First German NH90 NTHNaval Transport Helicopter Sea Lion handed over to the Bundeswehr

Almost four years after signing the contract, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr) has now taken over the first NH90 NTHNaval Transport Helicopter Sea Lion from the manufacturer, Airbus Helictopters.

After intensive negotiations, the procurement contract was concluded in 2015. Today, the Bundeswehr has set the course for a timely replacement of the ageing Sea King navy helicopter.

Usually, the average time required for this development is seven years. It then takes another three years for planning, drawing up the statement of work and the contract, and budgeting. This adds up to a total of ten years. It is therefore even more impressive that this project has been implemented so quickly.

It took four years instead of ten!

This fast implementation was possible because the Sea Lion is based on the NH90 basic type and also thanks to the purposeful cooperation of the highly motivated personnel of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr, the Navy and the manufacturer.

Having been taken over by BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr, the Sea Lion will enter service with the German Navy in a few weeks’ time, as soon as the future crews have completed their training, and herald the era of a new helicopter generation for the naval aviation forces.