However, despite many advanced features, there have been a series of complaints about the overall experience, including delays in delivery, high maintenance, software issues, and durability, leading to the early retirement of some fleets.

Nevertheless, it has served in increasing numbers and roles in the 2010s, taking on naval search and rescue, ASW, troop transport, special operations, various resupply and disaster relief, and medical evacuation.

[16] The NH90 was initially intended to be produced at three exporting final assembly lines (FAL): Cascina Costa in Italy for AgustaWestland, Marignane in France and Donauwörth in Germany for Airbus Helicopters.

[22] In order to alleviate delays and reduce the complexity of manufacturing a large number of NH90 variants, NHIndustries (NHI) proposed the adoption of a simplified baseline airframe which could be configured to the individual customer's requirements.

Although a civilian version has not been produced, the NH90 was designed from the start to potentially meet FAA certification requirements; it has been speculated that the high-cabin variant already in production would be typical of passenger rotorcraft.

[32] In December 2014, Dutch NH90 deliveries, which had been temporarily halted earlier in the year, restarted after the majority of identified points were addressed and an agreement was made by the manufacturer to bear the cost of developing modifications, repairs, and preventive measures against corrosion.

In contrast, the Hkp 16, MH-60 Blackhawks in Swedish service had a cost of 40,000 SEK per hour, something that sparked a heated debate not least since it was revealed that the defence minister had demanded that the purchase had to be a joint procurement with the other Nordic countries which in turn excluded all other contenders.

[47] The NH90 features an advanced composite airframe, designed for ballistic tolerance, a high level of crashworthiness, lower weight, and 30 per cent greater endurance than a metallic counterpart.

[22] NHI's long-term plan for the NH90 had reportedly included service life extensions, avionics upgrades, and possibly adding heavier armament for the army versions, such as rockets or guided missiles.

[55][56] Standard 3 configuration of an NH90 includes stronger landing gear, automatic folding main rotor, 11 tonnes GTOW, enhanced communication and safety features.

[72] In July 2014, the Australian National Audit Office released a report on the MRH-90, citing procurement errors and development deficiencies delaying final operational capability (FOC), originally set for that month, until April 2019, nearly five years later than planned.

NH90s first delivered in 2007 had not yet validated any of the 11 set operational capability milestones, and forced redesigns included bolstered cabin floors and windscreens, rappelling hooks, and door gunner positions; obtaining spare parts and fleet sustainment had also been more costly.

[89] In March 2023, an Army MRH-90 carrying 10 personnel appeared to malfunction mid-flight while hovering over a Jervis Bay beach at night amid a training exercise, leading to a controlled ditch into the water.

[108] In June 2020, the Strategic Defence Review (STAR) of Belgium planned to phase out the 4 TTH helicopters by 2024 due to their high operating costs and low availability.

[12] On 3 November 2014, the French Army Light Aviation deployed two of its NH90s to Mali; both helicopters had been fitted with three additional fuel tanks to fly the four-day ferry flight to the region.

[132] In October 2020, France signed a contract to develop the TFRA Standard 2 configuration for the French Army's special forces using the final batch of 10 NH90 TTH already ordered.

[133][134] Future gear, such as the Safran Eurofl'Eye distributed aperture system (DAS) and Thales TopOwl helmet-mounted display, may be integrated in a second phase with electrical and mechanical provisions made for their installation.

[145] In April 2013, up to 4 German Army NH90 TTHs were deployed in Afghanistan in a Forward Air Medical Evacuation role in support of coalition forces operating in the country.

[179] In June 2014, the Dutch government decided not to accept the last batch of 7 NH90s due to some 100 shortcomings found in relation to the design, manufacture, and material choice of the rotorcraft, in particular corrosion in the presence of salt water.

[180][181] In December 2014, deliveries restarted after the Dutch government came to an agreement with NHI, under which modifications and necessary repairs against corrosion would be made at the manufacturer's cost; 75 of the 100 shortcomings were also reported as having been solved.

[188] Following command structure changes in December 2014, the NH90 fleet was tasked with additional responsibilities, including casualty evacuation during search and rescue operations and providing transport services to the New Zealand Police and other government personnel.

[204][205] In February 2022, the Norwegian Minister of Defense again threatened to terminate the NH90 contract due to concerns over new delays and NHI not meeting contractual obligations, considering sourcing alternative helicopters.

To cope with the extreme flight conditions of the Middle East, RAFO NH90s are equipped with enhanced power plants; the type is to replace the Agusta/Bell 205A and Agusta/Bell 212 used for tactical transport and search and rescue operations.

[211] By July 2012, ten NH90s had been delivered to the RAFO; in Omani service, the NH90 has established an endurance record, flying 700 nautical miles (1,300 km; 810 mi) without refueling during a 5-hour 21 minute-long mission.

[213][214] A contract valued at 3 billion euros was signed at the Dimdex defence exhibition on 14 March 2018, which finalised the purchase of 28 NH90s, comprising 16 NH90s for tactical transport and 12 NH90s for naval purposes.

[215][216][217] On 20 August 2018, Leonardo announced the contract with Qatar was made effective for a total sum of US$3.7 billion, covering the agreed upon number of NH90s, with an option with six more of each type.

The Spanish NH90 variant features domestically assembled General Electric CT7-8F5 engines, customised communications suite, and Indra-developed electronic warning systems.

[227] In January 2018, NHIndustries president Vincent Dubrule stated he was confident Spain would place a follow-on order by the end of 2018 for an additional 23 TTH NH90s, bringing the total back up to 45.

[232][233] The decision to order the NH90 was made as part of the Nordic Standard Helicopter program along with Norway and Finland; the Swedish version is the High Cabin Variant (HCV).

[246] In July 2015, the Egyptian Navy entered negotiations for the purchase of 5 NH90 NFHs; these were intended to serve on board its newly acquired FREMM frigate Tahya Misr and 4 Gowind corvettes that were also on order.