Upgrade for Luftforsvaret Bell 412
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved an upgrade of nine Bell 412 utility helicopters, representing half of the operational fleet. This upgrade programme indicates that the MoD will postpone the decision to recapatilise its helicopter fleet around a single main type.
The Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) Bell 412s, operated by 339 skv Styrke i Kamp (Strength in combat) at Bardufoss Air Station, are already 35 years old. The unit also has a detachment flight at Moss/Rygge Air Station.
The upgrade programme, valued at € 93 million, will give an additional 15 years of lifespan and the first upgraded helicopters should be operational in 2025. The upgrade will be done at a new maintenance and overhaul facility at Bardufoss.
A new long-term plan for new helicopters is being worked upon and will be presented to the Norwegian Parliament in 2024. The Bell 412 upgrade programme, which is planned to start in 2023, still has to be approved by the Norwegian Parliament.
On 26 April 2023, Scramble Magazine first wrote on the intended buy of the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk as a replacement for the NH90-NFH (CG). Recapitalisation to a single helicopter family might indicate a future buy of Black Hawk helicopters as a replacement for the Bell 412s.
Photo by Cristian Schrik (Scramble Archive)