A naval variant of the MRH90 that has already been ordered for the Army and Navy, the NH90 was put on display at HMAS Albatross on Friday in an effort by makers Eurocopter and NATO Helicopter Industries to win a $4 billion contract to supply and equip 24 anti-submarine helicopters to the Navy.

Staffed by personnel from the Italian Navy, where the NH90 is already in service, the machine described as “the world’s most advanced combat helicopter” was spending a week at HMAS Albatross to show off its capabilities.

If the bid is successful, the NH90 helicopters will be built in Queensland by Australian Aerospace.

Australian Aerospace vice-president of governmental helicopters, Dr Martin Werner, said the contract would directly create Australian jobs along with 250 indirect jobs, some of which would be based in the Shoalhaven.

“We will allocate certain categories of those 500 jobs in Nowra,” Dr Werner said.

He said the company was already using Shoalhaven operators to provide a range of equipment and training services, and that would be further enhanced if the Navy decided to purchase the NH90.

Two helicopters are in the running for the Navy’s anti-submarine contract - the NH90 and Sikorsky’s MH60R Seahawk Romeo, however the Federal Government has yet to announce whether both will be considered.

Dr Werner said he expected that announcement to come within three weeks, starting a competitive tendering process ahead of a final decision later in the year.

Defence officials had reportedly tried to push through a rapid purchase of updated Seahawks to replace the Navy’s fleet of ageing Seahawk, Sea King and the failed Super Seasprite choppers, but the plan was scuttled from within the government.

Dr Werner said the NH90 had many benefits over the Seahawk, as it was lighter, could fly for longer, was better equipped, could carry anti-submarine torpedoes and anti-ship missiles at the same time, and was corrosion-resistant.

“This aircraft is designed in the 21st century, which is much more modern technology,” he said.

Commonalities with the MRH90 also improved serviceability, he added.