The NH90 project formally started in September 1992 when France, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands agreed a contract with NH Industries on the design, development and qualification of an 8-9 tonne class helicopter which shall replace the present fleet of light transport and naval helicopters in the various military services of these states.

The NH90 comprises two versions that are based on a weapon system development specification for a Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and a Nato Frigate Helicopter (NFH). The design of the NH90 follows the principle of having as many common basic systems and subsystems as possible in both versions, and to utilise a high level of avionics system integration to provide the capabilities to carry out the required tactical missions with a minimum of crew and crew workload.

Consequently, structure, dynamics, general vehicle, and flight control systems, core avionics, and mission equipment are principally common features for both weapon systems. The integration of two specific mission systems, on the other hand, provides the capabilities to employ both versions with a high rate of efficiency in their individual roles. The TTH tactical transport for air forces and armies, and the NFH as a ship embarked anti-submarine/anti-surface unit warfare (ASW/ASUW) for navies, both with the potential for a variety of other missions. The various subsystems of both mission systems, use modern equipment for acquisition of mission relevant information and data, their processing, transformation and display and provide automatic actions or advise to initiate adequate crew reactions.