Production delays and delivery problems on the part of supplier NH Industries have impeded Sweden’s plans for deploying its NH90 utility helicopters abroad in international missions.
The 18 NH90s ordered by Sweden in 2001 as part of the joint Nordic Standard Helicopter Program with Finland and Norway will not all be deployable until 2020.
Currently there are only three NH90s – designated the HKP-14 in Swedish service – in the Swedish Army. These were delivered to the Army’s Helicopter Wing in April. A fourth is expected by the end of the year. The three HKP-14s are not expected to be ready for international deployment until 2016 – eight years later than originally planned.
Due to the delays with the NH90 program and concerns about capability gaps, the Swedish government opted for a purchase of 15 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks using funds from a special projects budget.
The first batch of Black Hawks is due to arrive in four to eight months, with all 15 expected to become fully operational by 2017.
