The NHIndustries NH 90, locally designated HKP 14 or Helicopter 14, was officially handed over to the Swedish Armed Forces Helicopter Wing by the industry today. The historic ceremony took place at the Malmen Helicopter Base in Linköping, and it marks the start of a new era in the Armed Forces.

A large crowd followed the handover ceremony, which featured a several keynote speakers and a flight display of the HKP 14. The event marks an important milestone in the process of bringing the new helicopter type to life in the Armed Forces, and things are expected to move on quickly from now.

The first batch of four helicopters was formally handed over by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in April this year. They are in a basic version (eBasic) in order to get started with the flying. The eBasic is practically a VFR aircraft without any tactic equipment or deicing system, but the model will eventually be sent back to the industry to be converted to the final version.
The upcoming deliveries will be focused in the TTT/IM version, which is intended for international peacekeeping operations. The helicopters are expected to be ready for such operations from 2016.

A total of 18 NH90s have been ordered – thirteen inland versions (E model) and five offshore (F). They will be distributed equally (nine-nine) between Ronneby and LuleÃ¥, but with all the five naval helicopters in Ronneby. “The Malmen base will not be operating any HKP 14s due to the imminent delivery of the HKP 16, as well as LuleÃ¥’s and Ronneby’s commitment in long-term international operations,” says Col Magnus Westerlund, chief of the Helicopter Wing. The first HKP 16 (UH-60M Black Hawk) is expected to arrive in Sweden by the end of this year.

As of today HKP 14 is an official part of the Helicopter Wing’s fleet, a fleet that is going to grow rapidly the forthcoming years!

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