Germany May Transfer Sea Lynx Helicopters to Ukrainian Forces

Germany may transfer some or all of its 21 Sea Lynx shipborne helicopters to Ukraine, as the aircraft are set to be phased out of service with the Bundeswehr’s naval aviation in the near future.

Captain Broder Nielsen, Commander of German Naval Aviation, confirmed the possibility ahead of the handover of the first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter, Janes reports.

According to Nielsen, the Sea Lynx helicopters being replaced by the new aircraft will not be retired or placed in museums, but will continue to operate “in another location.”

In response to a follow-up question on whether Ukraine was meant – similar to the situation with the German Sea King helicopters already transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces – Nielsen answered in the affirmative. He noted that the Sea King helicopters have continued flying after their transfer, and that the Sea Lynx could follow the same path.

German naval aviation operates a specialized version of the maritime helicopter, the Sea Lynx Mk.88A.

Within the German naval aviation structure, the Sea Lynx Mk.88 was primarily operated by shipborne aviation units. The main operators were the naval air squadrons later designated as Marinefliegergeschwader 5 (MFG 5) and Marinefliegergeschwader 3 (MFG 3). These units were responsible for crew training and the operational employment of shipborne helicopters.

Sea Lynx helicopters were permanently based aboard frigates of the Bremen class (F122), Brandenburg class (F123), and later the Sachsen class (F124).

The Sea Lynx remained in service with the German Navy until the mid-2020s. A formal decision to gradually retire the helicopters was made in connection with the introduction of the new NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter into service.

On December 17, 2025, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first NH90 Sea Tiger multirole naval helicopter to the German Navy.

Technical specifications

The helicopter is powered by two Rolls-Royce Gem 42-1 turboshaft engines, each producing approximately 900–1,000 horsepower. This powerplant offers a high power-to-weight ratio and reliability, both critical for maritime operations. The twin-engine configuration allows safe continued flight in the event of an engine failure, in line with NATO standards for shipborne aviation.

The Sea Lynx Mk.88 has a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 5.3 tonnes, with an empty weight of about 3.3–3.5 tonnes depending on configuration. The helicopter is compact in size, with a fuselage length of around 15.2 meters and a main rotor diameter of approximately 12.8 meters. The main rotor blades and tail boom are foldable, allowing the aircraft to be accommodated in standard shipboard hangars without significant limitations.

One of the Sea Lynx’s key advantages is its speed. Its maximum speed exceeds 320 km/h, making it one of the fastest production helicopters of its generation. Cruising speed is around 250–270 km/h. The practical range reaches 500–550 km, while the combat radius is approximately 200–250 km, depending on the mission profile and payload. The service ceiling is in the range of 3,000–3,500 meters.

The Sea Lynx Mk.88 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of maritime sensors, enabling autonomous operations. It carries a Seaspray surveillance radar designed for surface target detection and navigation in challenging conditions. For anti-submarine warfare missions, the helicopter can be fitted with dipping sonar and a sonobuoy deployment system. In the upgraded Mk.88A version, a thermal-imaging surveillance system was integrated, significantly enhancing night operations capabilities.

The armament of the Sea Lynx Mk.88 is modular and mission-dependent. In an anti-submarine configuration, the helicopter can carry up to two NATO-standard lightweight torpedoes, such as the Mk.46 or MU90. For engaging surface targets, it can be equipped with Sea Skua lightweight anti-ship missiles, enabling it to strike small- and medium-displacement vessels beyond the effective range of shipborne artillery systems. For self-defense or to support boarding teams, a forward-firing or door-mounted heavy machine gun can also be installed.