Norway to donate spare parts for Sea King helicopters to Ukraine

Norway will provide Ukraine with spare parts for Sea King multipurpose helicopters as part of military assistance.

This was announced on the Norwegian government’s website.

This donation will support the operation and maintenance of the helicopters that have been donated to Ukraine by Germany.

Norway is a co-chair of the Maritime Capability Coalition and considers it essential to ensure that Ukraine can build its Coast Guard and increase its maritime capabilities as rapidly as possible, said Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram.

The Sea King helicopters were in service in Norway from 1973 until 2023 and have now been replaced by SAR Queen helicopters. The Norwegian helicopters have reached their maximum number of flight hours and cannot be donated.

The statement emphasizes that Sea King is an older type of helicopter, and finding spare parts can be difficult. Therefore, the Norwegian decommissioned helicopters will become donors for the aircraft to be operated by Ukraine.

“I am pleased that spare parts from our discarded Sea Kings can help make a difference for Ukraine and facilitate the efforts to establish the Ukrainian Coast Guard,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Germany has decided to donate six Sea Kings to Ukraine, while the UK plans to donate three. Norway is donating spare parts in connection with the six aircraft being donated by Germany. The terms of delivery of the aircraft were not disclosed.

The Sea King helicopters of the German Navy made their last flight on March 20 this year.

German Sea King

Sea King Mk41s were built for Germany in the UK by Westland Helicopters. The German Navy ordered 22 helicopters, which were delivered until 1974.

They were upgraded in 1986-1988, gaining the ability to carry Sea Skua anti-ship missiles.

Sea King Mk41s in Germany have performed a variety of missions, including search and rescue, transportation, disaster relief, tactical land-sea transport, evacuation, surveillance, reconnaissance, and maritime support. The helicopters will be replaced by NH-90.