With no resolution to their dispute over Norway's cancellation of its NH90 programme, NHI and the Norwegian government will now settle the matter in court. (Norwegian Ministry of Defence)
NHIndustries (NHI) has been unable to resolve its disagreement with Norway over the country's cancelled NH90 helicopter programme, with both parties taking the dispute to court.
Speaking to Janes and other defence media at the Marignane site of chief stakeholder Airbus Helicopters, NHI consortium president Axel Aloccio said attempts at mediation between the two parties have not been successful and that the matter will now be settled through legal channels.
“All I can tell you is that the mediation has failed, and that we are now going to the Oslo City Court,” Aloccio said. “We tried to find an agreement with Norway, we couldn't, and now they are taking us to court and we are taking them to court – there are two claims, which are merged into one claim, so in the end it is just one big dispute.”
In June 2022 the Norwegian Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram, said that despite his country's best efforts, the 14 NH90s were unable to fulfil the requirements of the armed forces, and that it could no longer persevere with the type. In cancelling its NH90 order, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that it intended to return the aircraft and demand the NOK5 billion (USD460 million) it had paid for its helicopters, plus interest and other expenses. NHI described this position as “legally groundless”, but later offered to fix the issues at no cost to Norway.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
