NAWSARH project

In December 2013, the Government signed a contract with AgustaWestland (now Leonardo SPA) for the delivery of 16 new rescue helicopters of the type AW101-612. The new helicopters will ensure good preparedness for the entire country and represent a significant strengthening of the public rescue service.

The agreement also includes associated spare parts and equipment, as well as training and training aids.

The first helicopters were put into operation at Sola on 1 September 2020. SAR Queen is now phased in and operates from all six planned bases of the Norwegian rescue helicopter service, with Florø being the last base phased in on 1 October 2024. The other bases are Banak, Bodø, Rygge, Sola, and Ørland.

The new helicopters can fly further, faster, and have better capability to operate in bad weather than the old Sea King machines. This makes it possible to rescue people faster and provide them with medical assistance at hospitals more quickly. Better equipment for navigation, search, and detection makes it possible to rescue people more efficiently, and SAR Queen has already proven to be a great asset to the Norwegian rescue service.

The procurement work was led by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Health and Care Services, and the work was organised as a separate project, NAWSARH (Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopters). From 1 January 2024, NAWSARH was transferred to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre to manage the further administration of the rescue helicopters. This work also includes the final phase of the procurement project as well as improvements to landing sites at some of the country's hospitals.