The Spain Council of Ministers (Consejo de Ministros) has approved the conclusion of a Framework Agreement whose purpose is the maintenance of NH90 GSPA helicopters, including aircraft, their spare parts, technical assistance, modifications and maintenance services in the third step of components. The contract of these activities will allow sufficient generation of flight hours and logistical support to be obtained both for the helicopters deployed in the National territory and foreign missions. The estimated value of the contract amounts to € 78,871,218.95.
The NH90 Multipurpose Helicopter is intended to replace all tactical transport helicopter fleets in service in the Armies and Navy with a single NH90 helicopter model, manufactured by Airbus Helicopters España (AHE), as well as the economic endowment and execution of the operation and maintenance phase of the NH90 in service, under the concept of common support. The deployment of these devices is planned at the beginning of 2020 in Peace Operations (Iraq) of NH 90, which implies that they must be accompanied by spare parts and guaranteed their maintenance.
The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter. It was developed in response to NATO requirements for a battlefield helicopter which would also be capable of being operated in naval environments. The NH90 was developed and is manufactured by NHIndustries, a collaborative company, which is owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) and Fokker Aerostructures. There are two main variants, the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for army use and the navalised NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH); each customer typically has various alterations and customisations made to their own NH90 fleets, such as different weapons, sensors and cabin arrangements, to meet their own specific requirements.
On 20 May 2005 the Council of Ministers authorised the acquisition of 45 NH90 TTHs; in December 2006, it was announced that a procurement contract for the Spanish Armed Forces had been signed. The Spanish NH90 variant features domestically assembled General Electric CT7 8F5 engines, customised communications suite, and Indra-developed electronic warning systems. In September 2018, the Spanish government agreed to the purchase of the additional 23 TTH NH90 helicopters. Promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Defense and supported by the Ministry of Industry, the NH90 program is the first that aims to meet the operational needs of the three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces. It is based on a common platform adapted to the requirements of each mission and featuring all the latest technological developments.
