Finnish Army Eyes Black Hawks

Finnish Government, The Finnish military has started to consider its options in case of cancelling its woeful Nato Helicopter 90 transport helicopter acquisition programme, national daily Helsingin Sanomat reported on Friday. 
 
NHIndustries, the manufacturer of the NH90, has been experiencing difficulty having the aircraft type-approved. As a result, deliveries have been running several years behind schedule. The Finnish Defence Forces was supposed to begin taking delivery of its fleet of 20 NH90s in 2004 but has yet to see a single one in service. 
 
Helsingin Sanomat added Finland was looking into first leasing and later possible purchasing US-made Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk aircraft. 
 
But Jyrki Iivonen, a Defence Forces spokesman, told the Finnish News Agency (STT) that the army was not considering changing the supplier at the moment. 
 
“We have built our own systems on the premise that it will be this specific type of aircraft. One cannot change a helicopter type like one does the make of one's car. And we must also bear in mind that there is no oversupply of helicopters at the moment,” Mr Iivonen said. 
 
Mr Iivonen added that Finland's point of departure was that compensation for the delay had to be paid in full, but not necessarily in cash. 
 
Jyri Häkämies, the defence minister, said talks with NHIndustries had proceeded in a positive atmosphere.