The Royal Danish Navy has officially taken delivery of the first three MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the US Navy during a ceremony.
As part of the ceremony, a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter landed aboard the navy’s Iver Huitfeldt class frigate in Copenhagen Harbor, Denmark.
The delivery follows a $686m letter of offer and acceptance agreement signed in 2012 by Danish Defence to procure nine Seahawk helicopters through the US foreign military sales programme.
NAVAIR H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters programme manager captain Craig Grubb said: "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.
"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."
The MH-60R Seahawks will replace the existing fleet of British Lynx helicopters. The ninth aircraft will be delivered in 2018.
Based at Air Squadron 723, Karup Air Base in Denmark, the helicopters will be deployed for missions such as maritime surveillance, anti surface warfare, force protection, and utility transport operations, including providing support to Nato in anti-piracy operations.
The Danish MH-60R Seahawk helicopter will also assist operations such as patrolling territorial boundaries and fisheries, and performing search-and-rescue in the Arctic and North Atlantic region.
The Sikorsky-built MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission naval helicopter features a surface radar, a forward-facing infrared camera and tactical data links to help the host ship while being engaged in over-the-horizon operations.
Image: An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter lands aboard a Danish frigate of the Iver Huitfeldt class. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin.
