France Completes First Operational Tests of NH90 Special Forces Variant Ahead of 2026 Deliveries
France's Directorate General of Armaments has completed initial operational tests of the NH90 Special Forces variant, known as Standard 2. The tests, which began in March 2026, validated the helicopter's performance and capabilities, with deliveries expected to start in summer 2026. The NH90 Standard 2 features advanced systems such as a Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and is designed to enhance the operational capacity of the French Army Aviation. A second round of testing is planned for July 2026.
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The NH90 Standard 2, a Special Forces variant developed for the French Army Aviation, completed its first operational test campaign in March 2026, as confirmed by France's Directorate General of Armaments (DGA). Deliveries are anticipated to begin in summer 2026.
The helicopter includes new systems such as a Safran Euroflir 410 and a cabin access ramp. The trials confirmed the performance of the helicopter and its payload capacity. A second testing phase is scheduled for July 2026 to further evaluate enhancements. France has ordered 18 NH90 FS for its 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment, with assembly ongoing at Airbus Helicopters' facility.
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