The first of a new version of the venerable Sea King has been handed over to the Joint Helicopter Command.

Three of the Mk 6 Commando Role (CR) aircraft were delivered to help plug a gap in the Navy’s Operational Capability while the Junglie fleet – the Mk 4 Commando Helicopters – underwent an extensive avionics upgrade over a four-year period.

The programme was instigated in early 2002, aiming to modify five redundant Sea King HAS Mk 6 anti-submarine warfare aircraft to take on a utility/troop carrying role.

Work included removal of sonar dipping gear and winch, radar, electronic countermeasures and weapons systems in the most complex project undertaken by MASU, which converted one of the aircraft.

Serco Aerospace and DARA Fleetlands converted two each.

The handover of the first machines was marked by the presentation of a commemorative cartoon to Brig Caplin, Deputy Commander of the JHC, by Capt Powell of the Sea King Integrated Project Team.