German helicopter fleet 'not fit for Nato'

Germany's fleet of NH90 helicopters is undergoing engineering checks after one of them suffered a serious engine failure, in the latest blow to the country's military capabilities.

Die Welt reported on Friday that a medical evacuation flight from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan in June had to make an emergency landing in the Uzbek city of Termes after an engine exploded just four minutes into the journey.

The crew were only able to land the stricken machine by the skin of their teeth as many of the aircraft's electronic systems immediately failed.

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