SAR Queen Replaces Sea King in Norway

Published at: Sep 01 2020 - 14:56 / Updated at: Sep 01 2020 - 14:56

The first new SAR (search and rescue) helicopters in Norway came into operation at Sola SAR base near Stavanger today. The new helicopters have been officially named ‘SAR Queen’ and are replacing the former Sea King’s.

“The new SAR helicopters will reach further, go faster and have better capacity for bad weather operations than the current Sea King helicopters. These capacities allow the new helicopters to assist much faster than the current Sea King’s under almost all weather conditions”, says Justice and Preparedness Minister Monica Mæland (Conservatives).

So far, 8 of the 16 new helicopters are located in Norway. Three more will be arriving in autumn/winter.

All helicopters are scheduled to be operational during 2022.