UK Readies Cold War-Era Sea King Helicopter for Ukraine Transfer

A former German Navy Sea King Mk41 helicopter has been prepared in the United Kingdom for transfer to Ukraine as part of previously announced military assistance.

According to Militarnyi on April 20, the aircraft was readied at a facility in Portland, where it was brought into operational condition ahead of delivery. Images published by the Portland Heli Operations Supporters group show the helicopter already stripped of German identification markings.

The Sea King Mk41 is a multi-role maritime helicopter originally produced in the United Kingdom by Westland Helicopters. Designed for naval operations, it can be used for transport, search and rescue, and anti-ship missions. German-operated variants were upgraded in the late 1980s to carry Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, expanding their combat capabilities.

Germany operated a fleet of 22 Sea King Mk41 helicopters, all delivered by 1974 and used for decades by the German Navy. The aircraft were officially retired from service in 2024. That same year, Berlin announced plans to transfer several of the decommissioned helicopters to Ukraine, along with spare parts and training for Ukrainian crews.

The helicopter prepared in the UK is one of the units included in Germany’s pledge to supply six Sea King helicopters to Ukraine. The outlet reports that the aircraft underwent technical servicing prior to transfer to ensure flight readiness.

Ukraine has prior experience operating Sea King helicopters, having previously received similar platforms from the United Kingdom. The addition of German-origin Mk41 variants is expected to expand Ukraine’s capabilities in maritime aviation and support roles.

Earlier, Ukraine confirmed it would receive the minehunter Henichesk from the Netherlands, marking the fifth vessel in its future mine countermeasure fleet, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 16.

The ship is expected to support efforts to clear naval mines and secure key sea routes, as part of broader international assistance to rebuild Ukraine’s naval capabilities.

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