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This Multi Role Frigate Helicopter (MRFH) is the latest NH90 naval variant for the German Navy. The new capabilities were presented during a ceremony at NHIndustries booth, in the presence of Captain Broder Nielsen, Commanding Officer of German Navy Aviation.
This advanced MRFH helicopter is tailored for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) missions, featuring cutting-edge technology to enhance maritime defense capabilities, such as:
A new Electro-Optical System and enhanced self-defense system;
Integration with the FLASH SONICS dipping sonar and BlueTracker sonobuoy system by Thales;
Armed with the MARTE Extended Range anti-surface missile by MBDA and MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes;
Airbus NH90 Sea Tiger - Naval WarfareHere’s a comprehensive overview of the Airbus NH90 Sea Tiger, the German Navy’s advanced naval helicopter designed for modern maritime warfare:
General Design and Role
The Sea Tiger is a specialized variant of the NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), tailored for the German Navy’s anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) roles.
It’s based on the existing Sea Lion transport version but upgraded with a sophisticated mission system and weapon payloads.
Key Milestones
Contract signed in November 2020 for 31 Sea Tigers worth ~€2.7 billion, to replace the ageing Sea Lynx Mk88A fleet starting in 2025.
Maiden flight conducted on 30 November 2023 at Airbus in Donauwörth, Germany .
A rigorous test campaign in early 2024, including sonar trials in Mediterranean waters and weapons handling tests, cleared it for operational entry in 2025.
Mission Systems and Sensors
Equipped with Thales FLASH SONICS dipping sonar and a sonar-buoy deployment and processing system for ASW operations, making it one of the most capable designs in its class.
Incorporates Leonardo’s LEOSS‑T electro-optical turret and improved Electronic Support Measures (ESM) for surface detection and targeting.
Armament and Payload
Designed to carry dual weapon loads simultaneously, such as:
MU90 lightweight torpedoes (EuroTorp) for submarine engagement,
MBDA Marte ER anti-ship missiles, with ~100 km range, for anti-surface missions.
Usable for secondary roles including transportation, reconnaissance, SAR, and special operations support.
The first helicopter delivery is expected in the second half of 2025, ramping up to 5–7 units per year, aiming to finalize the fleet by 2030.
Sea Tigers will deploy aboard German frigates (types F123, F124, F125, and future F126) as an integral part of the surface fleet’s sensor and weapons layer.
Strategic Significance
Enhances the “frigate system” philosophy by extending detection and strike capabilities right from the sea surface down to submarine targets.
Offers multi-role flexibility: able to swiftly switch from ASW to ASuW, surveillance, transport, or Special Ops with minimal reconfiguration.
Operates efficiently in adverse weather, day/night, and from shipborne deck environments thanks to advanced avionics and folding rotor systems.
Summary Table
Feature Specification
Variant NH90 NFH “Sea Tiger” Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter
Quantity ordered 31 units for German Navy (~€2.7B contract)
Main mission roles Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), surveillance, SAR
Sensors Thales FLASH SONICS sonar, sonobuoys, LEOSS‑T EO turret, advanced ESM
Weapons MU90 torpedoes, MBDA Marte ER anti-ship missiles (dual load capable)
Service entry timeline Flight tests through 2024; deliveries begin in mid-2025; fleet complete by 2030
Ship compatibility German frigates types F123, F124, F125, future F126
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- They took Italian NH-90 NFH in service for 10 years on all ships, 46 in service plus the AW 101 with the always Italian Marte ER missiles and they changed the name...- Nh90 best multirole helicopter thats ever build. Not just a warfare helicopter, its also easily configured to rescue mode, or atack helicopter.
- Forget Anti Ship Missile on helicopter, aside JSM is to heavy to be a practical payload, but not to many helicopters are available and only target that is possible to sink with a pair of missiles must be christened Moskva! More interesting are Hellfire and laser guided rockets.
They can be used in coastal water while monitoring small merchant ships, fishing vessels and leasure boats, eventually drones too.
Helicopter primary role is anti-submarine warfare and as surface radar picket for naval SSM.
Consider with 10 helicopters on five Destroyers escort group only performing a couple of path ASW 4 hours mission 50/100 nm in front of the group 24/7 required 12 missions per day plus a pair of contacts other 2 along with 4 as radar picket and 2 variable extra ones, helicopters in the group have already to fly 2 missions per day every day at least.
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