Italy has received the first of 10 NH Industries NH90 troop transport helicopters destined for its navy, which will be used to perform special forces and amphibious support missions.

Designated the MH-90 in Italian service, the helicopter was delivered at a ceremony at the Venice-Tessara facility of Leonardo, which is a shareholder, with Airbus Helicopters and Fokker, in the NH Industries consortium.

It combines features from the standard TTH troop transport variant of the NH90, such as a rear ramp and mission equipment, with capabilities required for ship-borne operations.

The service already operates 23 examples of the naval NFH model, with a further 13 still to be delivered.

Separately, Leonardo has been awarded a contract worth €11 million ($11.6 million) to upgrade the navy’s NFH fleet with Mode 5-standard Identification Friend-or-Foe systems.

Qualification tests on the NH90s have already been completed successfully, says Leonardo.

Source: FlightGlobal.com