AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded a contract worth about EUR 1.15 billion to supply 16 AW101 search & rescue (SAR) helicopters to Norway. The contract includes support and training and an option for six further aircraft.

Aircraft deliveries to the Royal Norwegian Air Force will start in 2017 and continue through to 2020. As part of the contract, a fifteen year “turnkey” support solution will be delivered, comprising spares and technical support and training services. The SAR configuration of the AW101 for Norway includes a multi panel AESA surveillance radar system from Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company. Moreover, to support pilot training, a full flight simulator will be available in Norway in 2016, before the delivery of the first aircraft. 

“The choice of the Norwegian government – Gianni De Gennaro, Chairman of Finmeccanica declares - is further testimony of the AgustaWestland’s global leadership both in terms of credibility and of  technological value of the solutions offered to the market”.

“This success - Alessandro Pansa, CEO of Finmeccanica, declares - comes at the end of a complex selection process that considered strict technical criteria related to the assessment of the product. Once again AW101 is proving to be the best in its class and a valid response to the stringent requirements issued by the Commission in charge of the selection. A even more important result considering the context in which we operate, marked by a strong competition and in which are rewarded companies like Finmeccanica, able to support the customer throughout the life cycle of the product”.