The Norwegian government Friday presented a proposition to parliament in which it proposes creating a new civilian search and rescue helicopter base in Tromsø, Norway.

The Tromsø base will have crew available on-site 24/7 and have 15 minutes’ response time. The base shall also act as helicopter service for the Svalbard Governor. The total cost frame for the new SAR base and its joint operation with the Svalbard Governor shall not exceed NOK 1,86 billion for the 2022-2028 period.

The new base is to become operational during 2022.