Denmark selects MH-60R for new maritime helicopter

Denmark has selected a US Navy (USN)-led team to supply nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to meet its requirement for a replacement maritime helicopter.

Announcing the decision on 21 November, the Danish Ministry of Defence said the government's final selection of the MH-60R over the rival AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx had wide cross-party support. The ministry's recommendation has now been passed to the parliamentary finance committee for final approval.

The deal is reported to be worth approximately DKK4 billion (USD686 million).

Denmark initially evaluated the MH-60R, the AW159 Wildcat, and the Eurocopter AS565 MB Panther. However, the Panther was eliminated from the competition at the start of 2012.

The MH-60R, for which Sikorsky (air vehicle) and Lockheed Martin (mission systems) are the main contractors, will be supplied to Denmark under an FMS case. Deliveries to the Royal Danish Air Force's (RDAF's) helicopter wing at Karup are expected to run from 2016 to 2018, with the type slated to replace the service's eight Lynx Mk.90B aircraft from 2017.

Originally developed for the USN, the MH-60R's selection by Denmark marks the second export sales capture for the programme.