Westland Sea King Helicopters Sent to Ukraine
Well, this is interesting.
Yesterday, it was announced that in its recent package to Ukraine, 3 former Royal Navy Westland Sea King helicopters will be sent.
Ukrainian Training and Deployment
According to reports, Ukrainian crews had been training to operate and maintain the American-designed (but British-built) helicopters over the last 6 weeks, and one is said to already be in Ukraine.
The aircraft, which have been slated for donation, are supposedly going to be used for search and rescue missions by Ukrainian sources. However, it’s unclear if any more Sea Kings will be donated as time goes by.
History of the Westland Sea King
The Westland Sea King is a licensed-built copy of the American Sikorsky S-61 Sea King and was constructed in the U.K. between 1969 and 1995. Powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Gnome engines, the Sea King was a mainstay of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm for decades before being retired from service in 2018.
~NC
