The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has filed a lawsuit against NH Industries (NHI)—a consortium formed by Airbus, Leonardo, and Fokker—seeking €2.8 billion in compensation for the failed NH90 helicopter program. The claimed amount represents a substantial increase compared to the initial demand made in 2022, when Oslo requested €500 million. The new figure now includes not only the original acquisition cost but also accumulated operating expenses and the replacement of the fleet with U.S.-made helicopters.
Norway signed a contract in 2001 for 14 NH90 helicopters, intended for the Coast Guard and the Royal Norwegian Navy to perform anti-submarine warfare missions. Deliveries were scheduled to be completed between 2005 and 2008, but more than two decades later, only eight units were delivered in operational condition—with availability far below requirements: 700 flight hours per year compared to the 3,900 initially planned.
By June 2022, the Norwegian government announced the full termination of the contract, returning the helicopters and demanding reimbursement of the funds invested. Then-Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram stated, “No matter how many hours our technicians work or how many parts we order, we will never get the NH90 to meet the needs of the Norwegian Armed Forces.”
Following the cancellation, Norway began a process to fill the resulting capability gap. In March 2023, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the purchase of six MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the United States, under an agreement that includes logistical support and training. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2025, with deployment at Bardufoss Air Station in the north of the country.
The failure of the NH90 in Norway is not an isolated case. Other countries such as Australia, Sweden, and Belgium have also decided to withdraw or cancel their NH90 fleets due to issues related to availability, maintenance costs, and chronic delays. The Norwegian lawsuit, amounting to 33 billion Norwegian kroner (€2.83 billion), represents a significant legal and financial challenge for NHI—equivalent to nearly 20% of Leonardo’s annual revenues or those of Airbus’ defense division.
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