France Receives First NH90 Special Operations Helicopter
Airbus delivered to the French military the first NH90 Caïman Standard 2, a specifically modified variant of the helicopter for special operations.
France received its first NH90 Standard 2 helicopter, the variant of the helicopter designed for special operations within the Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre (French Army Aviation), Airbus Helicopters announced on Jul. 30, 2026. The helicopter is a modified variant of the NH90 TTH, which is designated by France as “Caïman.”
The delivery is in line with what was previously disclosed by the Directorate General of Armaments (Direction Générale de l’Armement – DGA), which expected the first deliveries for the 18 helicopters by the middle of this year. Confirming the receipt of the helicopter, the DGA added that it handed over the NH90 Caïman Standard 2 to the French Army (Armée de Terre) and said the aircraft heralds a new era for its special operations forces.
According to the French press, a second round of operational trials is also expected. Another NH90 FS (Forces Spéciales – Special Forces), the alternative designation for the helicopter, already underwent an operational test campaign.
The video released by Airbus showed the new NH90 Standard 2 in French Army light green-dark grey-light brown camo paint scheme in flight. The prototype employed during the operational testing used an all-black paint scheme.
This new variant of the NH90 TTH was designed specifically for special operations. France has ordered a total of 18 #NH90 Standard 2 helicopters that will be delivered by mid 2029. In 2025, Spain joined the programme ordering 31 NH90s in a similar standard. https://t.co/z4Ua2SmZbh pic.twitter.com/N9hgncF2Ae
— Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) July 30, 2026
Capable helicopter
The press release from Airbus Helicopters quoted its CEO Matthieu Louvot, who touted the benefits of the helicopter being built upon the TTH and its “breakthrough features” to optimally suit the operations support role.
“More than ever, special forces operators will be able to execute their difficult missions in the toughest environments,” said Louvot. “We are very pleased that Spain has also joined the development of the features that will enhance the crew’s situational awareness. It shows that this new standard of the NH90 is on its way to becoming the benchmark for special forces across the world.”
The DGA said the “upgrade of the NH90 Caïman will provide the special forces with new intervention capabilities adapted to their missions in all types of theaters of operation.”
The Standard 2’s defining feature is the Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system (EOS) ball turret with infrared modes and a laser tracker/designator. Additionally, the helicopter includes a new digital map generator; space for a third crew member; and new enlarged rear sliding windows able to accommodate self-protection guns.
The airframe modifications have provisions for integration of an under-development Eurofl’eye wide-field Distributed Aperture System, with multispectral cameras around the aircraft that offer all-round visibility and situational awareness in all weather, day-night conditions. The TopOwl digital helmet-mounted display from Thales meanwhile assists with target cueing, and simultaneously displays DAS and EOS feeds on the visor.
On the flight-control and logistical end, the NH90 Standard 2 has an all-new digital fly-by-wire system for improved handling; single-pilot capability; an anti-icing system; and an automated fault and maintenance diagnostic system.
The NH90 Standard 2 in flight. | Source: DGA
France’s NH90 Standard 2 program
Meant to replace the Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal and the H215M Cougar, 18 NH90 FS have been ordered from the manufacturer NHIndustries to equip the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment in Pau. In December 2025, Spain too joined the programme, ordering 31 NH90s in a similar standard.
The NH90 FS/Standard 2 is derivative of the NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter), one of the two main variants, with the other being the NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter). It features a series of new systems ranging from optical reconnaissance, communication, navigation, self-protection, targeting suites and some airframe modifications for extra personnel space and machine gun ports.
The Armée de Terre currently operates 64 NH90 TTH Standard 1s, while 27 NH90 NFHs are in service with the Marine Nationale (French Navy). The NH90 Standard 2 program was launched in 2020 when the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) contracted NHIndustries – a Joint Venture between Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), Leonardo (32%) and GKN Fokker (5.5%).
Graphic representation of the new electronics and mission systems that would equip the NH90 Standard 2. | Source: DGA
Operational flight tests
According to French defense media reports, the NH90 Standard completed the first round of operational test and evaluation early in March ahead of deliveries this year. Reports said that the DGA’s DGA EV flight test division and the Army Technical Section (GAMSTAT) would kick off a second round of even expansive operational trials in July, following the delivery of the first production airframe.
#NH90 #FS standard 2, je dis un grand OUI pour une livrée noire. pic.twitter.com/xIQqJlnWzk
— Philippe Top-Action (@top_force) November 7, 2025
Images of the trials in March showed the troops entering the helicopter, and the side-door mounted MAG58 machine gun, suggesting the trials tested whether the weapon’s handling interfered with any other hardware, wiring or cabling.
The second round of tests will examine various functions of the Euroflir 410 optronic ball, its laser designator, the NH90’s kinematic performance in various payload configurations, and isolated and combined testing of its special forces-centric and general mission systems. These tests usually lay down the operational concepts, tactics, procedures based on the platform’s performance, the training curriculum and maintenance/logistical protocols for ground crews.