The U.S. will sell Sikorsky HH-60W combat rescue helicopters to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, according to an announcement by the DSCA on July 11.
On July 11, 2025, the U.S. State Department approved a proposed Foreign Military Sale enabling Norway to acquire up to nine Sikorsky HH‑60W “Jolly Green II” combat rescue helicopters and associated packages, with a total value of approximately $2.6 billion, following notification by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to the U.S. Congress Reddit+15Army Recognition+15Joint Forces News+15.
The deal includes twenty‐two GE T700‑GE‑401 turboshaft engines, twenty‐one advanced embedded GPS/INS navigation systems (eighteen installed with three spares), along with radar warning receivers and missile‐warning suites to improve survivability in hostile environments Aviation Week+7GlobalSecurity+7Army Recognition+7. In addition, it covers GAU‑21 .50‑caliber and other machine guns, IZLID 200P infrared designators, AN/ALE‑47 countermeasure dispensers, mission planning systems, electronic warfare support, and related software and documentation Aviation News+5Army Recognition+5GlobalSecurity+5.
Further elements include logistics support, training for personnel, engineering assistance, spare parts, consumables, transport, ferrying arrangements, facility upgrades, and both U.S. government and contractor services to ensure full integration and readiness Airforce Technology+3GlobalSecurity+3Aviation News+3.
The HH‑60W Jolly Green II represents the latest iteration of the Black Hawk lineage, designed specifically for combat search and rescue. It offers improved protection, avionics, fuel capacity—nearly double that of its predecessor—and advanced survivability systems such as radar, missile warning, infrared countermeasures, a digital cockpit, and secure communications Wikipedia+11Army Recognition+11Reddit+11. Powered by dual GE engines and equipped with external armaments, it can reach speeds up to 278 km/h and operate over 600 nautical miles with aerial refueling, well-suited for missions in demanding Arctic and maritime environments Army Recognition.
This purchase will enhance Norway’s ability to execute high‑risk personnel recovery and special operations—key priorities for the Royal Norwegian Air Force—while reinforcing interoperability with NATO allies Wikipedia+15Army Recognition+15Aviation News+15. As the first export customer of the HH‑60W, Norway’s acquisition supports U.S. strategic goals and signals deeper defense cooperation within the alliance Reddit+15Defence Industry Europe+15Breaking Defense+15.
Ultimately, the addition of these advanced helicopters will augment Norway’s resilience, ensuring rapid response capabilities for both peacetime missions and combat scenarios—particularly in harsh, high‑latency northern theaters
