A Wildcat HMA2 helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron was embarked on the frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen for the duration of 2025’s CSG25 UK carrier strike group deployment. (Norwegian Ministry of Defence)
Norway and the UK signed an agreement formalising arrangements for the continued operation of UK Royal Navy (RN) helicopters from Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) and Norwegian Coast Guard (Kystvakten) vessels.
Signed in Oslo on 25 February by Chief of the Norwegian Navy Rear Admiral Oliver Berdal and First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the accord was intended to improve integration in training and exercises, and help the RNoN and Kystvakten rebuild proficiency in small ship aviation. The move followed the successful embarkation of a RN Wildcat HMA2 on the RNoN frigate HNoMS
Roald Amundsen
during 2025’s CSG25 UK carrier strike group deployment (Operation Highmast).
“The United Kingdom is one of our most important allies, and we have become more closely integrated in several areas in recent times,” said Rear Admiral Berdal in a statement. “This agreement enables British helicopters to embark on Norwegian naval and coast guard vessels and ensures effective integration in joint operations and exercises.”
Norway currently lacks a small ship helicopter for operations from navy and coast guard ships. Lynx Mk 86 search and rescue helicopters which operated from Kystvakten Nordkapp-class Arctic patrol vessels were retired at the end of 2014, and a contract for 14 NH90 maritime helicopters was terminated in 2022 due to performance and reliability issues.
A Wildcat HMA2 flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) was successfully embarked in and fully integrated with
Roald Amundsen
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