17-Jun-2016 Source: Sikorsky
Danish Defense celebrated the delivery of its first three MH-60R Seahawk® helicopters by the U.S. Navy during a ceremony on June 6 in Copenhagen Harbor, Denmark. To mark the new additions to Danish Defense, the ceremony commenced with a Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk helicopter landing aboard a Danish frigate of the Iver Huitfeldt class.
The ceremony was attended by HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Danish Defense officials, the U.S. Ambassador toDenmark, the Minister of Defense for Denmark, members of the Danish Parliament, and officials from U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Also in attendance were executives from Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky.
“The delivery of these first three of nine MH-60R helicopters to Denmark is a great team accomplishment between our two governments and our industry partners,” said Captain Craig D. Grubb, U.S. Navy Program Manager, H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters with NAVAIR. “The aircraft have immediately entered service in Demark, and we look forward to operating, sustaining and advancing the MH-60R with Denmark for decades to come.”
Representing the first FMS MH-60R Seahawk helicopters in Europe, the aircraft will be stationed at Air Squadron 723, Karup Air Base in Denmark. The helicopters’ primary missions will be maritime surveillance, Anti Surface Warfare, force protection and utility transport operations, including providing support to NATO in anti-piracy operations. In the Arctic and North Atlantic region, the Danish MH-60R Seahawk helicopter will also provide support to austere regions, patrolling territorial boundaries, fisheries and perform search and rescue.
Danish Defense signed a Letter of Agreement in 2012 to procure nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to replace its fleet of British Lynx helicopters. The ninth MH-60R Seahawk aircraft will be delivered in 2018.
Denmark is the second FMS procurement for the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, following the Royal Australian Navy, which will take delivery of its 24th MH-60R Seahawk aircraft later this year.
