Nordic nations have struggled with their much-delayed Nordic Standard Helicopter Program (NSHP), especially since capability shortages have appeared since 2010 in combat, troop transport and medical evacuation missions.
Under an agreement reached in 2001, NHIndustries was contracted to deliver 52 twin-engine NH90 utility helicopters to Sweden, Finland and Norway starting in 2004 and 2005.
By the end of 2010, just four NH90s had been delivered to Sweden and Norway. Deliveries were further complicated when the three Nordic customers opted not to purchase a common helicopter type, choosing instead to request customized features prior to delivery.
In the case of Sweden, serial postponements provoked a critical shortage of tactical and transport aircraft for operations in Afghanistan after 2008. The crisis forced the government to allocate special funds to purchase 15 Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60M Black.
This was envisioned as a stopgap measure to ensure the armed forces had sufficient aircraft available for both domestic and international operations until the NH90s arrived.
Sweden ordered 18 NH90s with an option for a further seven under the 2001 NSHP agreement. Finland placed orders for 20 NH90s while Norway’s requirement was 14 helicopters with an option to purchase an additional 10.
The Sweden's acquisition of Black Hawks, the first batch of which have supported Swedish troops in Afghanistan since November, has reduced pressure on the Swedish Air Force to meet the need to release combat-ready helicopters for overseas missions.
The Defense Ministry’s decision to buy Black Hawks followed inconclusive talks with NHIndustries, which was unable to confirm fixed NH90 delivery dates.
Six Black Hawks were delivered in 2011 and the remaining nine in 2012. The first two were delivered December 2011. All 15 Black Hawks are expected to be fully operational by 2017.
Sweden became the first European country to acquire the US Army’s UH-60M.
The first two Black Hawks entered service in Afghanistan during the first half of 2013, attached to the Swedish military base at Camp Marmal supporting or replacing Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma.
Despite the protracted delivery schedule, Sweden plans to complete the NH90 acquisition, which comprises 13.
Difficulties in securing delivery of the NH90 also limited the Norwegian Defense Force’s ability to maintain a ready supply of modern helicopters for domestic and international missions in 2010 to 2012.
In June 2012, Norway’s MoD signaled that it might cancel the NH90 order and was reported to have contacted Sikorsky regarding a possible accelerated purchase of the MH-60 Seahawk ASW as an alternative.
But NHIndustries delivered a second NH90 NFH in December 2012, easing the situation. The first was delivered in December 2011.
The NH90 segment of Norway’s helicopter modernization program is based on 14 units bought, and additional 10 options. When fully operational in 2017 to 2018, the NH90 NFHs will replace the currently Royal Norwegian Navy’s multirole Bell, Lynx and Sea King SAR.
Finland, too, has encountered delivery delays in its order of 20 NH90 tactical transport helicopters.
Under revised schedule, initial deliveries will be completed by the end of this year, some six years behind schedule. Completion of the full delivery program has been extended to 2018.
Denmark also has been strengthening its heli-capability through a program, which will see the Royal Danish Air Force acquire nine Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawks. The aircraft, which will replace Lynx 90B helicopters.
Routed through the US Foreign Military Sales program, the MH-60R acquisition is intended to support the Danish plan to deploy more ship-borne helicopters on vessels operating in Denmark’s Arctic territories, covering the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
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