As reported by the web resource Scramble.nl, On May 13, 2023, the last of the three former Westland Sea King HU search and rescue helicopters transferred by Great Britain to the armed forces of Ukraine was filmed at Antwerp airport (Belgium) during an intermediate landing during an independent flight to Ukraine.5, already carrying the Ukrainian registration UR-H034. The helicopter built in 1981 was previously part of the British Navy aviation and had the British military number ZA134 (serial number WA895). The helicopter was built as an anti-submarine helicopter with the designation Sea King HAS.5, but in 2004 it was converted into a search and rescue (multi-purpose) and re-designated as Sea King HU.5.
The former Westland Sea King HU search and rescue helicopter transferred by Great Britain to the armed forces of Ukraine.5 (Ukrainian registration UR-H034, former British military number ZA134, serial number WA895) during an intermediate landing at Antwerp airport (Belgium), 13.05.2023 (c) Walter van Brempt / www.scramble.nl Recall that the transfer of three Sea King helicopters to Ukraine to "provide search and rescue capabilities" was announced by British Defense Minister Ben Wallace on November 23, 2022, at the same time indicating that the delivery of the first helicopter was already "being completed".
According to Wallace, the British Navy provided a six-week training program for Sea King helicopters in the UK for ten crew members of the armed forces of Ukraine and for ground technical personnel. [...]
Indeed, the first Sea King HU helicopter transferred to Ukraine.5, which previously had the British military number XZ920 (serial number WA880) was spotted during an intermediate landing in Antwerp on November 12, 2022, and reportedly finally arrived on its own in Ukraine (apparently in Odessa) on November 24. This helicopter was built in 1979 as an anti-submarine Sea King HAS.2, in 1982 it was modified to the level of Sea King HAS.5, but already in 1994 it was converted into a search and rescue Sea King HU.5. In January 2023, Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov published a video demonstrating the flights of this helicopter as part of the Ukrainian Navy aviation.
The second Sea King HU helicopter transferred to Ukraine.5, which previously had the British military number ZA166 (serial number WA899, built in 1982, was converted from anti-submarine in 2004) was spotted during an intermediate landing in Antwerp on December 21, 2022.
All three helicopters were decommissioned from the British Navy aviation in 2015-2016, along with the complete removal of the Sea King type from its armament. After the decommissioning, the XZ920 and ZA166 helicopters were acquired by the British company Developing Assets, which used them under contracts as commercial, as well as for training on a contract basis the personnel of the German Navy aviation, which continued to operate Sea King helicopters. The ZA134 board, apparently, remained in the custody of the British Ministry of Defense until 2022.
Air Force video report from April 13 on the use of Sea King helicopters in Ukraine:
