First MH-60R helicopter lands aboard Danish frigate Iver Huitfeldt

Danish Department of Defence celebrated the delivery of its first three MH-60R Seahawk helicopters by having one of the aircraft land aboard the Danish frigate Iver Huitfeldt in Copenhagen Harbor, Denmark, June 6.

The helicopters were delivered by the U.S. Navy under a $686 million foreign military sales (FMS) agreement. Overall, nine MH-60Rs will replace the Royal Danish Air Force’s eight Lynx Mk.90B.

According to Lockheed Martin, the ninth MH-60R Seahawk aircraft will be delivered in 2018.

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.

Denmark is the second FMS procurement for the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, following the Royal Australian Navy, which is expected to take delivery of its 24th MH-60R Seahawk aircraft later this year.

The MH-60R “Romeo” Seahawk helicopter is deployed as the primary U.S. Navy anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare system for open-ocean and littoral zones. U.S. naval forces have found the Romeo platform to be an operationally effective and reliable first responder for all missions and contingencies encountered at sea around the world.

The June 6 ceremony was attended by HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Danish Defense officials, the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, 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 MH-60R Seahawk helicopter manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company.

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.”