The Ministry of Defence (BMVg) in Berlin on January 25 announced that Germany will provide six Sea King naval utility helicopters to Ukraine later this year. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius revealed this decision in the scope of the so called Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG). The effort, also known as Ramstein group held its most recent meeting on January 23 in virtual form. UDCG is a monthly multinational coordinating mechanism providing military aid to Ukraine furthering Kyiv’s defence against the renewed Russian invasion underway since February 2022.
“The Sea King is a proven and robust helicopter which will aid the Ukrainians in many areas. This includes reconnaissance over the Black Sea and transport of troops.” Pistorius stated in his remarks. The minister emphasised this transfer of aviation capability is a first for Germany. Berlin so far had focused on the provision of air defence-systems and various ground based capabilities including armored vehicles.
Lengthy Sea King-operations to end for Germany this year
The Sea King naval utility helicopter is operational with the German naval aviation service (Marineflieger). The German Navy had originally bought 22 Westland Sea King Mk 41 between 1972 and 1975. After the crash of one helicopter over the North Sea in 1998 the service retained 21 helicopters. Due to delays with buying a successor the active fleet saw a gradual reduction to now six flying units. The service has increasingly cannibalised the remainder of the pool to keep Sea King flying. The successor, an NH-90-variant dubbed “Sea Lion” is planned to cover relevant Mk. 41 roles from summer this year. The Chief of Naval Aviation Kapitaen zur See (Captain) Broder Nielsen also clarified on “X”, formerly known as Twitter, that six helicopters represent the ceiling available for transfer.
In German service the Mk 41 is equipped with a surface search radar and capable of basic surveillance operations. Its main role for the German Navy is search and rescue (SAR) primarily from coastal bases. In addition Sea King performs the naval resupply role, ferrying personnel and cargo onto German and NATO naval vessels. The helicopters carry limited self defence armament in the form door mounted machine guns. The design is in principle capable also of carrying torpedoes or missiles on weapon stations.
Spares, training and further equipment to be included in transfer
In addition to the six Sea King Germany will provide a package of spares and additional equipment and the required training for flying personnel. The equipment will include winches, SAR-equipment and ballistic protection. German personnel will train Ukrainian crews on the type in Germany before the transfer. German officials have not specified the exact timeframe, but the transfer is likely to occur around the middle of the year, in line with the mentioned phasing-in of NH-90.
Total fleet of Ukrainian Sea King growing to nine helicopters
Ukraine will benefit from their existing experience with three Sea King transferred by the United Kingdom in late 2022. German Fregattenkapitaen (Commander) Christian Senebald, serving with the Ukraine liaison team of the BMVg, emphasised that Kyiv’s positive experience operating the British Sea King helicopters was a factor prompting the decision for transfer. For Germany the transfer likely proves opportune given the helicopters will soon be surplus materiel. As such their addition to the list of equipment provided in the scope of the UDCG is a high profile item maintaining Berlin’s posture and perception as one of the most important European sources of military aid for Kyiv.
