The Norwegian government has reached a settlement with NH Industries following the failed purchase of NH90 helicopters. The manufacturer will pay the state 375 million euros, equivalent to 4.4 billion Norwegian kroner.
As a result of the agreement, the lawsuit scheduled to begin in November has been dropped. NH Industries will take back all helicopters purchased by Norway, including spare parts, tools, and equipment.
Both parties demonstrated constructive cooperation and willingness to resolve this matter, according to government officials. The defense ministry originally contracted NH Industries in 2001 to buy 14 NH90 helicopters, but the delivery faced major delays.
The helicopters were intended for the Norwegian Coast Guard and the Nansen-class frigates. They should have been delivered between 2005 and 2008, but by 2018, Norway had received only eight helicopters.
At that time, the Office of the Auditor General concluded that the defense department and taxpayers had spent 8 billion kroner on undelivered equipment. One helicopter remained missing in 2022 when the state terminated the contract.
The government initially demanded nearly 30 billion kroner from the manufacturer. Last year, Norway decided to purchase American Seahawk helicopters to replace the NH90 fleet.
This settlement closes a costly chapter in Norway's military procurement history. The failed helicopter program represents one of the country's most expensive defense acquisition failures, ultimately requiring replacement with different aircraft after two decades of problems.