BERLIN, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Germany's navy postponed the use of the new NH90 SEA LION helicopters because the operating instructions contained large gaps, the German Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg) announced on Wednesday.
"We provide our soldiers with weapon systems on which they can rely and which they can handle absolutely safely", stated BMVg, adding that this "high standard of safety and quality" would be applied to the procurement of new weapon systems as well.
Despite being "basically convinced" of the performance of the helicopter, it would not be possible at this time to take responsibility for flight operation due to "inadequate and incomplete technical documentation."
Equipment experts of the German navy registered irregularities in over 150 cases which would be regarded as "considerable errors that initially do not allow the helicopter to fly safely", according to BMVg.
The NH90 SEA LION is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter developed and manufactured by French NHIndustries, which is mainly owned by market leader Airbus Helicopters.
"A meticulous and complete documentation is the basis for a structured and thus safe action, whether in basic operation or missions. Therefore, we will refrain from a premature start of training operations before the end of this year," commented BMVg.
Airbus Helicopters has handed over the first SEA LION helicopter to the German army in October. German armed forces have ordered a total of 18 helicopters of this type which are scheduled to be put into full service by 2023.
According to BMVg, the manufacturer has promised to correct the gaps and errors in the documentation "as quickly as possible."
