Minister of Defence Jyri Häkämies has named Keijo Suila, former CEO of the Finnish national airline Finnair, to examine the process linked with the planned purchase of transport helicopters for the Finnish Defence Forces.
Suila is to examine the acquisition process itself, as well as the financial, industrial, and other significant aspects of the deal.
In October 2001, Finland ordered 20 NH90 helicopters with a Tactical Troop Transport configuration from the French company NH Industries, as part of a joint purchase with Sweden and Norway. They were to have been delivered between 2004 and 2008.
The NH90 project is badly behind schedule.