Belgian military plans deployment of two NH90 TTH helicopters to Mali in 2018.

Once the plan approved at political level, two NH90 helicopters would participate in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from March-July 2018.

The Belgian Air Force NH90s, one of which will be in reserve, would occasionally replace the four NH90s deployed since Feb. 2017 by the German Bundeswehr. In Mali, the NH90s are used to transport and rescue injured people, besides planned operations to escort convoys and conduct surveillance.

The two NH90s are expected to operate from Gao airport, the largest city in northern Mali.

If the Belgian government gives its green light, this would be the first operational deployment for the BAF NH90s, which reached IOC in March 2015.

Belgian Air Force received four NH90 TTH platforms, all operated by the BAF's 18 Squadron out of Beauvechain Air Base. Belgium's first NH90 TTH entered service in October 2013, and the last was delivered on 13 November 2014.