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Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

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Thunder
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Thunder » Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:26 pm

I wonder if these are NH-90 replacements, wasn’t it Belgium, The Netherlands and Norway that feel the -90 falls well short of what was promised?

Malcolm
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Malcolm » Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:39 pm

There was some sort of flying display by a Merlin HM2 on Friday morning last week just after 8am. I did think it was unusual. I didn't notice what flags were flying at the main gate- that's often a give away. The crews that disembarked were wearing all white flying suits - something I've not noticed before.

Alf
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Alf » Sat Aug 06, 2022 5:02 pm

Thunder wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:26 pm
I wonder if these are NH-90 replacements, wasn’t it Belgium, The Netherlands and Norway that feel the -90 falls well short of what was promised?
Australia is getting rid of the NH90 and maybe also Sweden.

https://www.airforce-technology.com/new ... ng-sweden/

somerset
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by somerset » Sun Aug 07, 2022 5:27 pm

Malcolm wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:39 pm
There was some sort of flying display by a Merlin HM2 on Friday morning last week just after 8am. I did think it was unusual. I didn't notice what flags were flying at the main gate- that's often a give away. The crews that disembarked were wearing all white flying suits - something I've not noticed before.
Tried to get a look today but could only make out Japanese and Portuguese flags , but here's hoping for some nice , different schemes if it all goes ahead

jamesg23
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by jamesg23 » Sun Aug 07, 2022 10:51 pm

Hasnt finland judt stopped flying the NH90? Maybe thry wre looking at the merlin.

Canberra TT.18
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Canberra TT.18 » Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:05 am

Norway stopped flying the NH90 and is looking for an new (leased) Coast guard helicopter and new ASW helicopter. They have an option I believe on 6 AW101.
Also a program next couple of years replacing the the Bell 412s. Could fit.
Sweden have not (yet) stopped flying the NH90 Finland have no intention stopping flying the NH90.
Belgium will stop flying the NH90TTH not the Naval version. And wants bigger transport helicopter (Chinook) and armed scout (H145). AW101 and AW159 might fit the bill...
Netherlands needs a replacement for AS532 not read about a choice of type(s) yet.

Australia will stop flying NH90 and opted for UH--60

Potential customers, depending also if these are naval of land versions AW101 and AW159:
In Europe my choice Norway or Poland (is buying big)
Belgium big outsider.
Or any country in the Middle East as always.

Alf
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Alf » Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:18 am

I thought it was a new customer? Norway and Poland are not new customers. they both already have Merlins.

Canberra TT.18
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Canberra TT.18 » Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:47 am

Alf wrote:
Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:18 am
I thought it was a new customer? Norway and Poland are not new customers. they both already have Merlins.
The article states customers so might be more than one.
Could customers also be other forces, so army in stead of navy or in a other role...
We wait and see.

Malcolm
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Malcolm » Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:36 am

I was wondering if it might be Germany. I know they've opted for Chinook to replace the CH-53G, what I'm not sure is if Merlin would fit on their newer frigates. If not, it might explain the Wildcat order.

Only 'real' reason for my suspicion was the very early morning flying display at Yeovil. When they used to come to VLAD they were always first in soon after 8am (to get their beach towels out on the ramp :whistle: )

If it is Germany then it'll be the biggest big blow to the whole NH-90 program yet and France are going to be very pi55ed off at us. Again.

POL
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by POL » Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:43 am

Make of this drawing what you will. That doesn't look like an NH-90 to me...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F126_frig ... _b_P_D.JPG

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Freeman Lowell
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Freeman Lowell » Mon Aug 08, 2022 9:10 am

Isn't Germany already operating NH90 Sea Lions as a replacement for the Sea Kings and ordered NH90 Sea Tigers to replace the Sea Lynx?
Freeman
It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you see.

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Seacat192
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Seacat192 » Mon Aug 08, 2022 9:12 am

Malcolm wrote:
Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:36 am
If it is Germany then it'll be the biggest big blow to the whole NH-90 program yet and France are going to be very pi55ed off at us. Again.

They should be used to it by now though :whistle: :whistle:
GRIM REAPERS SUPPORTER - Somerset Wing

Canberra TT.18
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Canberra TT.18 » Fri May 26, 2023 9:24 am


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Ravendriver2008
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Re: Unknown new customers for Merlin and Wildcat

Post by Ravendriver2008 » Tue May 30, 2023 6:56 pm

Canberra TT.18 wrote:
Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:05 am
Norway stopped flying the NH90 and is looking for an new (leased) Coast guard helicopter and new ASW helicopter. They have an option I believe on 6 AW101.
Also a program next couple of years replacing the the Bell 412s. Could fit.
Sweden have not (yet) stopped flying the NH90 Finland have no intention stopping flying the NH90.
Belgium will stop flying the NH90TTH not the Naval version. And wants bigger transport helicopter (Chinook) and armed scout (H145). AW101 and AW159 might fit the bill...
Netherlands needs a replacement for AS532 not read about a choice of type(s) yet.

Australia will stop flying NH90 and opted for UH--60

Potential customers, depending also if these are naval of land versions AW101 and AW159:
In Europe my choice Norway or Poland (is buying big)
Belgium big outsider.
Or any country in the Middle East as always.
Looks like Norway could get Sikorsky MH-60R for their coast guard to replace the NH90 NFH

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major- ... ti-mission

Merlin probably too big for their Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates

cheers

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