AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced it has been awarded a contract for 16 AW101 helicopters plus support and training, valued at approximately £1 billion (€1.15 billion), to meet the Norwegian all weather SAR helicopter (NAWSARH) requirement. The contract includes an option for six further aircraft.

The contract signing was held in Olso today in the presence of Anders Anundsen, the Norwegian minister of justice and public security and Daniele Romiti, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland.

Aircraft deliveries scheduled to start in 2017 and continue to 2020. The aircraft assembly line at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK and the Royal Norwegian Air Force will operate the helicopters.

Part of the contract, a fifteen year “turnkey” support solution, covering spares and technical support and training services, with an option to be extended a further five years.

Romiti, said: “We are delighted that the AW101 has been awarded the Norwegian All Weather SAR Helicopter contract following a very detailed evaluation process of all the alternatives. The new generation AW101 will bring new capabilities and is a worthy successor to the AgustaWestland Sea King which has successfully served Norway for more than 40 years.

“The AW101 is recognized around the world as the most capable and advanced helicopter in its class and has proven its outstanding all weather and long range SAR abilities in service with the Royal Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Danish Air Force and Portuguese Air Force. Furthermore, the success reaffirms AgustaWestland’s excellence as a provider of advanced rotorcraft and comprehensive support solutions.”

Anders Anundsen, the Norwegian Minister of Justice and Public Security, added: “I am very pleased with signing the contract for new rescue helicopters,

“This ensures a significantly improved safety for people at sea, along the coast and in remote areas around the country. The new helicopters will be able to rescue significantly more people in distress, be noticeably faster and with longer range than today – under virtually all weather conditions. Additionally, search capability and the possibility for medical treatment are significantly improved.”

David Cameron, UK's prime minister, added: “This £1bn deal between AgustaWestland and the Norwegian Government is testament to the first class engineering skills we have right across the UK, while highlighting that this Government’s long-term economic plan is working. Safeguarding over 3000 jobs across their Yeovil plant and many more across the SME supply chain, this is a hugely significant order which demonstrates why drumming up jobs and investment for our country from overseas investors is crucial to rebalancing the UK economy.

"We’ve got our sights focused on helping more innovative British firms across the country compete in the global race and ensuring that more people share in our economic success.”

The AW101 is powered by three engine, a full ice protection system, long range and endurance, 30 minute “run dry” gearbox, multiple redundancy features in the avionic and mission systems.

AgustaWestland will provide initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and aircrew training. It will then provide performance based logistic support to deliver approximately 90,000 flying hours across the fleet of 16 helicopters over the initial 15 year period. In support of pilot training a full flight simulator will be available in Norway in 2016 in advance of the delivery of the first aircraft.

AgustaWestland has partnered with Norwegian companies AIM Aviation to provide maintenance services at the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s operating bases and with Kongsberg Defence Systems to provide helicopter transmission repair and overhaul services