Norway Threatens to Buy Seahawk if NH90 Deliveries Lag

September 7, 2012 defense-aerospace.com/

(Source: Norwegian Ministry of Defence; issued Sept. 6, 2012)

(Issued in Norwegian only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

Future Maritime Helicopter Capability

The Defence ministry is working actively to ensure optimal maritime helicopter capability for Norway.

The NH90 is a very modern, newly designed helicopter that possesses the qualities we require, and also covers the future operational requirements for a maritime helicopter in the Coast Guard and Navy.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide taken the initiative to clarify what could possibly be an alternative to NH90, if we get into a situation where we have to acknowledge that the supplier is unable to deliver as specified by the contract.

He today sent a written answer to Parliamentary Question No. 1824 on helicopter capacity for the Coast Guard. Here is the status of the military maritime helicopters.

The Coast Guard delivers

Coast Guard delivers excellent operational capability. In recent years, the Coast Guard among others succeeded in reducing fish poaching in the Barents Sea from a value of about 1 billion NOK in 2005 to almost nothing today.

This is just one of many examples of the Coast Guard delivers. Our vessels are constantly at sea, and help in exercises and operations, both at home and abroad.

We've spent billions on new frigates and coastal corvettes, and we have acquired new Coast Guard vessels.

Modern, efficient vessels, skilled personnel and close collaboration with other military and civil protection authorities have steadily improved the achievements of the Coast Guard during this period.

Concern over the lack of delivery of NH90

The new NH90 helicopters have been greatly delayed. Meanwhile, the technical status of our Lynx helicopters is characterized by advanced age and heavy use.

Frequent maintenance requirements means that we sometimes have insufficient Lynx helicopters available on board our vessels.

“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,” said the defense minister. “This means that one is reluctant to use helicopters in situations where they would be advantageous, but not essential, in order to conserve the available in more critical situations, said Eide.

“I share with several others concerns about the operational availability of maritime helicopters,” said the defense minister.

NH90 is a very modern, newly designed helicopter that possesses the characteristics requested by Norway, and which covers the future operational requirements for a maritime helicopter for both the Coast Guard and the Navy.

The forces report that they are very happy with the NH90 helicopter in respect with both military and technical criteria.

NH90 is still government's initial choice

“The problem is related to delayed deliveries from the manufacturer. Our concerns about the consequences of these delays have been duly communicated to the supplier, NH Industries.

“In response, the manufacturer maintains that they are doing what they can to increase delivery speed. We will know within the next six months whether they have succeeded,” says Espen Barth Eide. “The NH90 is still the government's first choice,” stressed the Minister.

Operational capability is the priority

To maintain operational capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has initiated several immediate measures.

The updating and life extension of two to four Lynx helicopters are just now being reviewed.

The Defence Minister has also taken the initiative to determine what possible alternative could exist to NH90, if we get into a situation where we have to recognize that the supplier is unable to deliver according to contract terms.

The military has been tasked to investigate the possibility of obtaining deliveries of Sikorsky Seahawk maritime helicopters.

The defense minister has also asked for a report on the operational consequences of acquiring an alternative helicopter, since both our frigates and our Coast Guard vessels have been closely adapted for the NH90.

“I can assure everyone that I am work actively to ensure optimal maritime helicopter capability for Norway,” says Eide.