Belgium has blocked the acquisition of Ostend based helicopter operator NHV Group by GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF), an Irish leasing company registered in Dublin and controlled by Chinese interests, ending a transaction that was first announced in 2025.

NHV has confirmed that the deal would not proceed following a decision by Belgium’s Interfederal Screening Committee and also confirmed there would be no change to its current ownership.

GDHF is and a subsidiary of GDAT Group, a Chinese helicopter operator operating both Airbus and Leonardo helicopters in China. NHV introduced two H160s leased from GDHF in 2026, based at Den Helder in the Netherlands.

Belgium’s foreign investment screening mechanism applies to non-EU investors acquiring control of companies active in sensitive sectors including energy and defense and the decision follows tightening Western scrutiny of Chinese stakes in aviation.

The Belgian Government has also placed an order for Airbus H145Ms for the armed forces and the federal police through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency which NHV is bidding on the maintenance contract for the aircraft as a subcontractor.