The U.S. State Department has approved the sale to Croatia of two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $115 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a release.
“The sale of these UH-60 helicopters to Croatia will significantly increase its capability to provide troop lift, border security, counterterrorism, medical evacuation, search and rescue, re-supply/external lift, and combat support,” the Wednesday, October 31 release said.
“These UH-60 helicopters will allow for interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces in rapid response to a variety of missions and quick positioning of troops with minimal helicopter assets,” DSCA added.
The ubiquitous Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter which entered U.S. Army service in 1979. The UH-60 family has been exported to at least 26 countries, and Black Hawks have been deployed in combat around the world, including in Grenada, Panama, Iraq, Somalia, the Balkans and Afghanistan.
The government of Croatia requested the possible sale of two UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters in standard U.S. government configuration along with with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment, .
The proposed sale includes up to nine T700-GE-70 ID engines, up to nine H-764GU/Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation systems, communication security equipment including an AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder, radios, spare and repair parts, weapons, ammunition, night vision devices, training and training devices and other related elements of logistical and program support, at a total estimated program cost of $115 million.
The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky, which builds the aircraft, and engine manufacturer General Electric.
In 2018, the U.S. donated two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Croatia, Jutarnji list reported. The defense ministry’s plan at the time was to purchase a squadron of helicopters by 2025, to replace its current Russian-designed Mil Mi-8 helicopter fleet.