Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen inspected this summer, the state of the Bundeswehr. Not all of the admired devices, however, are in the best shape of, for example, the helicopter NH90.
On the subject of equipment of the Bundeswehr, the defence Minister goes a bit in a defensive position. Von der Leyen is touring at present from one vertex to the next and makes a picture of the condition of the troops and their equipment. One of its unofficial goal could be to raise the troops ‘ morale a little. The has suffered in recent times due to allegations of staff shortages and the growing number of technical problems.
At the time of their visit to the transport helicopter regiment in the baden-württemberg Niederstetten reviewed by the Leyen machines type NH90. The NH90 is due to massive technical problems in the criticism.
NH90: A “good” helicopter
Before the Minister focused on the roughly 150 soldiers in private conversation, let you the various application possibilities of the helicopter.
The capabilities of the NH90 will be presented for von der Leyen
“The NH90 has proven itself in use,” said von der Leyen. “It is good to talk with soldiers and to hear that this is a helicopter that is highly recognized and in use has shown the extraordinary capabilities he has.”
Military spokesman Major André Benker was also full of praise: “The helicopters are so important because they can be used in different functions. You can transport personnel and paratroopers and settle. In addition, we can use you as a rescue helicopter and as an accompanying helicopter, so that you can give a quasi-escort.”
In the air or on the ground?
But the lawsuits are piling up. The NH90, which was used by the German armed forces during the UN Mission in Mali for rescue operations, had to be of further operations except. Reason damage to the engine found in one of the helicopter after the Africa-use goods. A was forced to the emergency landing.
Von der Leyen at the transport helicopter regiment in niederstetten.
According to regiment spokesman Lars Meinzer, however, About half of the 16 helicopter in niederstetten ready for action. The number varies from day to day. By increasing the military budget by 2021 18 NH90 to be deployed in machines on the base. Due to cost and delays in the production Meinzer increases as the delivery date in question.
A report of the military officer confirmed last year that 2016, only five of the 40 NH90 helicopters of the German armed forces is ready for use. In addition, the Federal government announced that 19 of the 129 helicopter pilots of the Bundeswehr have had their pilot’s license due to a lack of flight hours.
Angekratztes Image
German NH90 were also used in the UN Mission in Mali..
Originally, the NH90 was developed in the early 90s, to be constantly on new Land, and Maritime missions adjusted. Exactly this constant regeneration is a complex logistical Problem.
In 2010, an internal report of the German armed forces, passed to the “image”-newspaper. For example, problems of the listed equipment. Thus, the Transport of soldiers, especially with heavy equipment should be difficult. In addition, too little space in the interior of the helicopter for the intended machine gun.
The Ministry of defence, said that the report was working with a prototype and not the finished model. In addition, such development-oriented internal critique of pure Routine. The Australian and Danish military, the use of the NH90, have the same helicopter but also the well-known engine problems.