Norway postpones helicopter fleet recap, opts to partially upgrade ageing Bell 412s

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MOD) has approved plans to partially upgrade its ageing Bell 412HP/SP utility helicopters and postpone the recapitalisation of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s (RNoAF’s) special operations rotorcraft fleet by at least 15 years in a move that goes against the advice of the head of the nation’s armed forces. Oslo announced on June 26 that it intends to spend $92m on upgrading nine of the RNoAF’s current 18-strong Bell 412HP/SP fleet and extending the type’s