RNZAF NH90 NZ3301 to NZ3309

RNZAF NATO Helicopter Industries (NHI) NH90-TTH
NZ3301 to NZ3309

In 2005, NH Industries’ NH90 helicopter was selected to replace the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s aging UH-1 Iroquois, which would remain in service until 2009. A firm deal was finalized in July 2006, and New Zealand will buy 9 NH90-TTH variant helicopters

The Ministry of Defence acquisition project and the RNZAF has formed a Helicopter Transition Unit (HTU) to manage the operational and technical aspects of the introduction Into Service process for these helicopters. The Aircraft will ultimately be operated by 3 Squadron, RNZAF.

Serial	c/n	Test Registration	Aircraft History
NZ3301	1177 TNZA001	F-ZWTU	Built 2011, Flight test registration F-ZWTU Arrived at Ohakea 06/12/2011 on Volga-Dnepr AN-124-100 RA-82074, Delivered February 2012, In service with RNZAF Base Ohakea's Helicopter Transition Unit. Transferred to 3 Squadron.
NZ3302	1206 TNZA002	F-ZWDD	Built 2011, Flight test registration F-ZWDD Arrived at Ohakea 06/12/2011 on Volga-Dnepr AN-124-100 RA-82074, Delivered February 2012, In service with RNZAF Base Ohakea's Helicopter Transition Unit. Transferred to 3 Squadron.
NZ3303	1207 TNZA003	F-ZWDO	Built 2012 Flight test registration F-ZWDO Arrived at Ohakea 1 October 2012 on AN124 RA-82074 Delivered 01/10/2012 Entered service with RNZAF Helicopter Transition Unit, Ohakea. Transferred to 3 Squadron.
NZ3304	1208 TNZA005	F-ZWDR	Built 2012 Delivered 01/10/2012 Arrived at Ohakea 1 October 2012 on AN124 RA-82074 Entered service with Helicopter Transition Unit, Ohakea, Transferred to 3 Squadron.
NZ3305	1241 TNZA006	F-ZWBC	Built 2012 17/07/2013 left Marseille on An-124 UR-82029.. 20/07/2013 Arrived at Ohakea. Entered service with Helicopter Transition Unit Transferred to 3 Squadron
NZ3306	1229 TNZA006	F-ZWDV	Built 2013. Spotted at Marseille factory early June 2012 fully painted, with French test registration F-ZWDV and c/n 1229 on a piece of paper in a window, Due for Delivery April 2013, 17/07/2013 left Marseille on An-124 UR-82029. 20/07/2013 Arrived at Ohakea. In service with 3 Squadron. One of two NH-90 making first trans-Tasman flight 28/29 September 2025, flying RAAF Amberley-Coffs Harbour-Lord Howe Island-Norfolk Island (overnight)-Whenuapai-Ohakea.
NZ3307	1265 TNZA007	F-ZWBT	Built 2013. Delivered 11 October 2013 to Ohakea on AN124 RA-82044 In service with 3 Squadron. One of two NH-90 making the first trans-Tasman flight 28/29 September 2025, flying RAAF Amberley-Coffs Harbour-Lord Howe Island-Norfolk Island (overnight)-Whenuapai-Ohakea.
NZ3308	1265 TNZA008	F-ZWDE	Built 2014. Arrived in New Zealand by air 30 October 2014 as freight aboard AN-124 UR-82073. In service with 3 Squadron.
NZ3309	1209 TNZA005	N/A	(Attrition Airframe) Delivered October 2011

Author: Brendan Cowan, Les Billcliff

Sources: http://rnzaf.proboards.com , helis.com, http://airforce.mil.nz , http://defence.govt.nz, http://airport-data.com , http://rotorspot.nl/product/nh90.htm , RNZAF.

Emails: Messageboard Discussion, Martin Edwards, Brendan Cowan, Andy Marden, Gordon Birkett,

Converted to CMS 5th October 2025

Updated 8 February 2026 2026