The United States on Friday announced the approval of a $2.6 billion sale of HH-60W combat rescue helicopters and related equipment to Norway, a NATO ally that borders Russia.
“The proposed sale will improve Norway’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its airborne combat and special operations capabilities,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.
“Norway will use these aircraft to defend other NATO members and its allies. Norway will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” it added.
The State Department approved the possible sale, and the DSCA on Friday provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction.“We deeply value Norway’s continued trust in Sikorsky helicopters, including the Hawk aircraft, which are operated by more than 35 other nations and offer unmatched global and regional interoperability,” a Sikorsky spokesperson told Breaking Defense. “The HH-60W was purpose-built for the combat rescue mission and provides enhanced survivability while recovering isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory, day or night, in adverse weather, and in a full range of threat environments.”
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” State’s notice says. “The proposed sale will improve Norway’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its airborne combat and special operations capabilities. Norway will use these aircraft to defend other NATO members and its allies.”
The HH-60W Jolly Green II, developed by Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin company), is the U.S. Air Force’s advanced combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter, designed to replace the aging HH-60G Pave Hawk.
Named in honor of the Vietnam-era HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, the HH-60W enhances the Air Force’s ability to recover downed aircrews and personnel in hostile environments, delivering cutting-edge technology and unmatched mission versatility.
Based on the proven UH-60M Black Hawk platform, the HH-60W incorporates significant upgrades tailored for CSAR missions. Its advanced avionics suite includes a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, integrated mission systems, and enhanced navigation for operations in adverse weather and low-visibility conditions.
The HH-60W is equipped with a personnel locator system to pinpoint isolated personnel and a rescue hoist capable of lifting 600 pounds, ensuring rapid extraction under fire.
The HH-60W entered service in 2020, with the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, among the first to receive it. By July 2025, the Air Force will continue to field the HH-60W across active-duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard units, with a planned fleet of 108 helicopters.
Its advanced capabilities have already proven critical in training exercises and real-world deployments, offering greater range, payload, and survivability than its predecessor.
With AFP Inputs
