Qatar has agreed to a new $3.7 billion contract to purchase 28 NH90 multi-role helicopters for its military and 16 H125 light single-engine helicopters for training with its Armed Forces Air Academy, according to Airbus officials.

The deal, announced March 14 and signed during Qatar’s DIMDEX defense conference, includes 16 tactical transport configurations and 12 naval configurations of the NH90.

NH90
NH90

“We are honored to support the Qatar Armed Forces through this strategic partnership,” Ben Bridge, Airbus’ executive vice president of global business, said in a statement. “The NH90 is a modern and combat-proven asset that will meet Qatar’s demanding operational requirements for decades to come, both in troop transport and naval missions. Our partnership on the new training academy will also strengthen the relationship between our countries by enabling the exchange of expertise and know-how in helicopter operations.”

The NH90 helicopter program is managed by NHIndustries, a consortium created to address NATO member nation military helicopter needs. The management group includes France’s Airbus, Italy’s Leonardo and the Netherlands’ Fokker Aerostructures.

Leonardo will act as the prime contractor for the program management end of the deal, as well as handle the assembly and delivery of the 12 naval configuration NH90s from its Venice, Italy facility.

Airbus is responsible for the 16 tactical transport configuration NH90s, which will be assembled at their Marignane, France facility.

Deliveries of the helicopters are expected to start in June 2022 and continue through 2025, according to Leonardo officials.