– It is a very stable platform, says Hans Skovmose. He is a colonel and commander of the Helicopter Wing in Karup in the middle of Jutland in Denmark. Inside the hangar there is a lot of activity. Two helicopters are in for service and maintenance. One of the Danish helicopters is getting a proper overhaul inside the hangar. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – Very operative and it flies safely. It is a fantastically advanced helicopter that suits the maritime task we have bought them for, he explains further. Denmark has had the helicopter type since 2016. Now they have nine machines in operation. Primarily, they are used for two types of missions. Search and rescue. And assertion of sovereignty Especially around the North Atlantic parts of the Commonwealth, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Danish Seahawk over Karup military air station in the middle of Jutland, Denmark. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – Seahawk has many advanced and good sensors. It can see far and pick up a multitude of signals. At the same time, it can also be in the air for a long time, with a number of forms of communication with the outside world. It simply works for many different task solutions, says Skovmose enthusiastically. The fact that the Danes have good experience with use in Arctic waters is one of the reasons why the Norwegian defense force is now present at the helicopter base in Karup. They must learn from each other and exchange experiences. Colonel Hans Skovmose in conversation with Norway’s ambassador to Denmark, Katja Nordgaard. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news The Danes can step in At the same time, Norway and Denmark have entered into an agreement which ensures that Norwegian personnel can fly the Danish helicopters. If there is a need, the helicopters can also be used for operations in Norway. This is to ensure a certain helicopter readiness in the period until the Seahawk arrives in Norway. Lieutenant Colonel Kjetil Bjørkum is positive about Danish-Norwegian cooperation in the future as well. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – There are many similarities between Norway and Denmark. After all, we have the same operational area, says Lieutenant Colonel Kjetil Bjørkum. He is the head of the Norwegian detachment, in Karup. – Operating around Greenland is in many ways similar to operating around Svalbard. Both our concepts and the organizational culture have proven to be much the same. In terms of size, we can also compare ourselves and we have many of the same goals, he explains further and adds: – Without a doubt, there is a lot to learn about for us here in Denmark. But also the other way around. They can learn from us, says Bjørkum. When Norway finally gets the Seahawk itself, they will go straight to the Coast Guard and be central in looking after the Norwegian coast. The crew of the Seahawk often engages in shooting practice. The helicopter can easily be equipped with several different weapon systems and used in a possible war situation. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – When we talk about coast guard missions, we are talking about asserting sovereignty. But there can also be resource control in the form of fisheries inspections. We can also conduct search and rescue, as well as ambulance flights. The helicopter scandal As far back as 2001, Norway signed an agreement to purchase the NH90 helicopter type from the multinational manufacturer NHIndustries. The helicopters were to be used by both the Coast Guard and the, at the time, new Nansen-class frigates that were then in production. In 2022, the government chose to terminate the contract and demand repayment of NOK 5 billion. By then only eight of the helicopters had been delivered. The Norwegian government’s justification was the delays as well as low reliability of the helicopters, demanding maintenance work and outdated systems. NHIndustries has protested against the breach of contract and called it “legally groundless”. NH90 at Kjeller in 2018. At first glance, the two helicopters look quite similar. But Norway and several other countries have reported problems with the maintenance of the NH90 helicopters. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB scanpix Since the contract was terminated, the helicopters also had to be put on the ground. New delays But the Seahawk helicopters also seem to be delayed. Earlier in February, parliamentary representative Hårek Elvenes from the Conservative Party asked questions about the delivery to the Minister of Defence. Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) then confirmed that the first helicopters will arrive in 2026, not 2025 which was the original agreement. Only in 2027 will all the helicopters be in place. At Karup, they will not enter into the political discussion. A holder for a machine gun can be mounted in the door opening of the helicopter. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – In a troubled world, Norway is without maritime helicopter capacity. How is it experienced from their perspective? – We focus on the job that we are set to do. It is to maintain maritime competence. We will also contribute to ensuring that the new helicopters are phased in as soon as they arrive in Norway, says Bjørkum. There could be more Danish-Norwegian cooperation In the meantime, Norway must rely on the Danes. The crew of one of the Danish Seahawk helicopters gets ready for a training trip. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – The Nordic air force commanders have drawn up an agreement on extended cooperation. The fact that we are working together here shows that we can make it work in reality. It’s not just empty words, says Colonel Skovmose. Norway’s ambassador to Denmark, Katja Nordgaard, is satisfied that an agreement has been reached between the countries. – The feedback from Karup is that this is a win-win for both countries. Both the Norwegian and Danish sides have something to gain from this, she says. Earlier this week, she and defense attaché Svein Lystrup visited Karup. – We have had a collaboration for many years. But this is completely concrete. It is about sharing the resources. Norway and Denmark have quite a few similar challenges, not least in the northern areas, emphasizes the ambassador. The Defense Forces are also satisfied with the agreement that has been concluded with Denmark. They hope it will continue, even after the agreement formally expires in 2027. There are perhaps fewer opportunities to train in tactical flying in the mountainous landscape in Jutland than in Norway. But according to the two countries’ representatives, the collaboration works perfectly well. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – I both believe and hope that, in addition to the cooperation we currently have, we will also have cooperation on maritime helicopters in the future. In one form or another, says Lieutenant Colonel Bjørkum.
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Seahawk is the helicopter that will improve the defense of the Norwegian coast – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
