Austria approved for additional Black Hawk helicopters

Seen in Swedish service, the UH-60M has been approved for an additional sale to Austria as it continues to modernise its rotary-winged capabilities. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The US Department of State has approved the sale to Austria of 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift helicopters.

Announced on 17 June 2026, the approval covers the helicopters, related equipment, training, and support for an estimated USD1.5 billion.

“The proposed sale will improve Austria's capability to deter current and future threats and support coalition operations and the United States' and Austria's goal of greater military interoperability,” the state department said.

The Austrian Air Force (Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte) currently fields nine Sikorsky S-70A (upgraded to UH-60L standard) Black Hawks, 22 Agusta-Bell AB-212s, and 10 Bell OH-58 Kiowas. Under Aviation Brigade 2032+, this force will be transitioned to 36 Leonardo AW169M and 24 (with the option for a further 12) UH-60M helicopters for a consolidated fleet of two types, primarily for ease of support (the first UH-60M deal was signed in July 2024).

With more than 4,000 in service globally, the Black Hawk is the medium-lift helicopter by which all others are measured. As the most modern variant of the Black Hawk helicopter, the UH-60M incorporates more powerful and reliable General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, enhanced rotor blades, and a fully digital ‘glass' cockpit.

Since entering service, Austria's early model Black Hawks have undertaken domestic disaster relief operations, as well as European and NATO missions in Bosnia and Kosovo.

For more, please see IMH 2026: Austria eyes future ‘medium- to heavy-lift' helicopter requirement