Norwegian NH-90s are out, Sikorsky SH-60 Sea Hawks now selected as replacements...

[Stratofreighter]

Title edited in view of the latest developments...

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotor ... ch-delaye/

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has indicated that it may be looking at alternatives to deal with the delays to its NH90 procurement.

In a statement on the Norwegian Ministry of Defence website, state secretary for defence, Roger Ingebrigtsen, said he was 'very concerned' that the Norwegian Coast Guard (Kystvakt) was now down to just three helicopters capable of flying.

This 'means only one operational helicopter at all times flying out with the coast guard', he said.

Currently, the role of coast guard helicopter is conducted by the Westland-built Lynx helicopters operating from Norwegian Coast Guard ships.

However, these aircraft have used up much of their remaining airframe life and had been due for replacement by the NH90 between 2005 and 2008.

The NH90's late arrival means the Norwegian government is now exploring alternatives.

More at http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotor ... ch-delaye/

[Stafsels]

So that would mean that all nations are having difficultys...
Country Forseen Current?
The Netherlands 2008
Belgium 2011 2015
Norway 2008 ?
......

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... er-375020/

Norway threatens to cancel NH90 helicopter order
12:12
2 Aug 2012

Norway is threatening to cancel its order for NH Industries NH90 helicopters, as its frustrations mount with delivery delays.

Oslo has eight of the NH90 maritime variant on order, configured for search and rescue operations for its coastguard.

Deliveries were due to have been completed six years ago, but the nation has so far received just one of the type.

The new helicopters are intended to replace the Norwegian coastguard's ageing AgustaWestland Lynx fleet, which it began retiring in 2005.

At present, it has just three operational helicopters, says the Norwegian defence ministry.

These were all delivered in 1981, according to Flightglobal's HeliCAS database.

But with the remainder of the NH90s no closer to being delivered, Oslo is now drawing up contingency plans.

Speaking last month on a tour with the coastguard in northern Norway, secretary of state for defence Roger Ingebrigtsen said: "NH90 is greatly delayed and I am very concerned about this situation.
We therefore have to consider what the options are to ensure the coastguard has the helicopter capacity we depend on."

The defence ministry adds: "If the manufacturer doesn't manage to deliver the helicopters [to deadline] we are considering cancelling the contract.

"We are a customer and we cannot wait forever to receive our merchandise."

The defence ministry would not be drawn on the deadline it has given to NH Industries to complete the order.

However, it has begun looking at alternatives to the NH90, it says, without specifying the types under consideration.

"There are several helicopters on the market that are combat-proven and in use by other nations," it notes.

NH Industries was unavailable to comment.

[Stratofreighter]

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/1 ... PS20120816

Norway may buy Seahawks instead of European helicopters

08/17/2012
OSLO | Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:30pm IST

OSLO Aug 16 (Reuters) - Norway's military may buy Seahawk helicopters from United Technologies' Sikorsky Aircraft if the European helicopters it ordered seven years ago are not delivered by the end of the year, the defence minister said on Thursday.

More at
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/1 ... PS20120816

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-0 ... -deal.html

Finmeccanica, EADS Helicopter Venture Risks Losing Norway Deal

Sep 6, 2012 6:41 PM GMT+0200

Eurocopter SAS and Agusta SpA, Europe’s largest helicopter makers,
risk losing an order for NH90 maritime choppers because of delivery delays that is prompting Norway to consider United Technologies Corp. (UTX)’s Sikorsky rotorcraft instead.

The Norwegian government has told NH Industries it may buy Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters unless delivery issues on the NH90 are resolved,
the defense ministry said today in a statement to parliament.

The country also is considering extending the life of two Lynx helicopters as a stop-gap measure, Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide said in the statement.

Development and delivery delays for years have plagued NH Industries, the consortium of Finmeccanica SpA (FNC)’s AgustaWestland, European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD)’s Eurocopter and Fokker in the Netherlands.

Sweden already opted to buy Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks for Afghanistan operations because NH90s were not ready.

Norway will decide in the next six months one how to proceed, Eide told parliament.

The government is assessing the operational impact of a helicopter change, since the navy’s frigates and coast guard vessels have prepared for NH90 use.

The Scandinavian country, which has contracted to buy 14 NH90s for coast guard and navy use, got its first unit last year.
The armed forces are satisfied with the performance of the NH90 they have received and put through trials, Eide said.

NH Industries representatives were not immediately available for comment.

Norwegian government officials have already met with Sikorsky to discuss a possible Seahawk purchase, the ministry said.

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotor ... -woes-con/

Norway considers Lynx life extension as NH90 woes continue

11 September 2012 - 9:55

The Norwegian government is considering extending the life of several of its Lynx helicopters to ensure the country's coast guard continues to have a shipborne helicopter capability.

The Lynx is currently the primary helicopter for the Norwegian Coast Guard (Kystvakt),
but the organisation's last few operational aircraft have used up much of their remaining airframe life,
require many hours of maintenance,
and are urgently awaiting replacement by the NH90,
which had been due to arrive between 2005 and 2008.

The NH90's delayed arrival, with only one delivered so far, means the Norwegian government is now being forced to explore alternatives.

Defence minister Espen Barth Eide told the country's parliament:
'The remaining flight time on our Lynx helicopters must be used with caution until we know with certainty when a sufficient number of new helicopters are in place.

'It means that one is reluctant to use helicopters in situations where it would be advantageous,
but not essential,
in order to have capacity available in more critical situations,' he added.

Norway still wants the NH90,
and the defence ministry has reportedly been told by NHIndustries, the joint AgustaWestland and Eurocopter consortium building the aircraft,
that it is doing what it can to increase delivery speed.

'We will decide within the next six months if they have succeeded,' said Eide.

As well as extending the life of two or four Lynx, the government has also been in discussions with Sikorsky for the possible delivery of the Seahawk.

Such aircraft are likely to be the less complex S-70B version of the aircraft,
rather than the MH-60R which has a backlog of orders for the navies of the US and Australia
and is unlikely to be in service in time to meet Norway's needs.

[PilotoRico]

A source within the Royal Norwegian Air Force told me that there are already talks between the Government and Sikorsky for a eventual "quick" delivery of 6 Seahawks! So I guess that a official deal is not far away.

(source: RNoAF Sea King pilot, obvious not mention his name here at public)

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... nfh90.html

Norway Takes Delivery of A New NH90 NFH

(Source: NH Industries; issued Nov. 29, 2012)

NHIndustries is proud to announce the delivery of the second NH90 NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) helicopter to the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The delivery ceremony took place on November 28 at AgustaWestland’s Tessera facility where it was assembled.

“We are extremely pleased to deliver this helicopter because we know how important this new helicopter is for the Norwegian Armed Forces” declared Xavier Poupardin Delegated Managing Director of NHIndustries.

...and at http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... nfh90.html this PR-talk goes on and on...

[aviodromefriend]

And as you might know, this chopper (058) has left de Kooy today for Karup on its deliveryflight.

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... ys-380125/

Norway ramps up pressure over NH90 delays

1 hours ago

Norway has again warned NH Industries that the airframer must resolve Oslo's concerns over the performance and capability of its NH90 naval helicopters or face the cancellation of its order.

Erik Øwre Thorshaug, Norwegian deputy defence minister,
insists the nation will continue to "hold [NH Industries] to account"
as delays to the programme have left it without helicopters deployed on Royal Norwegian Navy frigates following the retirement of its ageing Westland Lynx fleet.

Norway has a commitment for a total of 14 NH90s dating from 2001.

Deliveries should have been completed in 2008, but Oslo has so far received a solitary aircraft, with a second due to be handed over imminently.

"We are focused on the product that's delivered," says Thorshaug.

"They should have the capabilities that are in the contract and we will continue to be a customer that holds the [manufacturer] responsible to deliver what is agreed.

"We are focused that the NH90s we take delivery of should meet the operational standards we want."

Although its contract with NH Industries includes the possibility of financial penalties for the airframer should it fail to meet its targets, Thorshaug warns these should be the least of NH Industries' concerns.

"If they fail to deliver, what is at stake is not fines or penalties but the whole contract. They need to deliver, and that has been communicated to NH Industries. We are talking about months in that respect."

Norway has already indicated a willingness to investigate alternatives to the NH90, with the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk the most likely candidate.

NH Industries was unavailable to comment at the time of publication.

[Canberra TT.18]

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 62.article

Well more than 10 years later
It is the MH-60R (6 helis)

[Stratofreighter]

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 62.article

Well more than 10 years later
It is the MH-60R (6 helis)

Norway has selected the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk
to replace part
of its fleet of NH Industries (NHI) NH90 maritime helicopters
which were ditched last June on the back of years of delivery delays.

An initial six MH-60Rs will be acquired,
the country’s defence ministry says.

These will be operated for the Norwegian coastguard
but “will also be prepared for equipment for anti-submarine operations”.

Oslo has set a total budget of NKr12 billion ($1.1 billion)
to replace the planned fleet of 14 NH90s – eight for the coastguard and six for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) tasks.

However, Norway has yet to decide
whether it will acquire additional helicopters or use other systems to address the ASW capability gap.

Seahawk deliveries could begin in 2025
providing an agreement can be struck with the US government this summer 2023.

Approval from Norway’s parliament for the acquisition is also required.

Discussions have already taken place with Washington to expedite deliveries,
says defence minister Bjorn Arild Gram,
and Norway has the possibility of taking three MH-60Rs originally earmarked for the US Navy.

In preparation for the arrival of Seahawk fleet,
Oslo will send crews to fellow Nordic MH-60R operator Denmark for training.

“Through this concrete example of Nordic defence co-operation,
we will gain experience from Denmark before phasing in the helicopters in Norway,” says Gram.
“It will help us to gain full operational capability more quickly when we receive our helicopters.”

Norway originally expected its NH90s to be delivered in 2008,
but by the time it cancelled the procurement in June 2022,
just 13 examples had been received.

Justifying the decision last year,
Gram said no amount of investment would enable the NH90 to meet the country’s requirements.

Norway is now demanding a full refund of the NKr5 billion
it has spent on their acquisition but has yet to reach an agreement with NHI.

[Stratofreighter]

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major- ... ti-mission

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2023 -

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale
to the Government of Norway
of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and related equipment
for an estimated cost of $1 billion.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Norway has requested to buy

six (6) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters;
fifteen (15) T-700-GE-401C engines (12 installed, 3 spares);
nine (9) Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS) (6 installed, 3 spares);
eighteen (18) Embedded Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service (GPS/PPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (12 installed, 6 spares);
and six (6) Airborne Low Frequency Sonars (ALFS) (aircraft provisions only).

Also included are M514 impulse cartridge/cartridge actuated devices;
MJ20 cartridge actuated thruster/cartridge actuated devices;
WB53 fire extinguisher cartridge/cartridge actuated devices;
CCU-136A/A impulse cartridges;
GAU-21 crew served guns (including pintle and laser pointer);

AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 radios with Communications Security (COMSEC);
AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems;
AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders;
AN/ALE-47 dispensers; Electronic Countermeasures;
Advanced Data Transfer Systems (ADTS);
AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems;
Identification Friend or Foe Mode 4/5 Cryptographic Applique, KIV-78;
Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS);
AN/ARQ-59 Hawklink radio terminals;
Training Simulators/Operational Machine Interface Assistants (ATS/OMIA);
Aviation Maintenance Weapons Loading Trainer (AMWLT);
Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT);
AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems;
APS-153(V) multi-mode radars;
spare engine containers;
spare and repair parts;
support and test equipment;
communications equipment;
ferry support;
publications and technical documentation;
personnel training and training equipment;
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services;
obsolescence engineering, integration,
and test activities required to ensure readiness for the production of the Norwegian MH-60R helicopters;

and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The total estimated program cost is $1 billion.


The proposed sale will improve Norway’s capability to perform
Coast Guard missions
along with the ability to perform secondary missions,

including vertical replenishment and communications relay.

Norway will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats
and to strengthen its homeland defense.
Norway will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters and support into its armed forces.

...one billion dollars in total for six helicopters...
I suppose a lot of money is reserved for a multi-years support programme...