16 November 2020

Lithuania signs for Black Hawk helos

by Gareth Jennings

Lithuania signed for four Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk transport and utility helicopters on 13 November, the country’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced.

Lithuania is set to become the latest Black Hawk operator, with the purchase of four helicopters announced on 13 November. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The USD213 million procurement, which will be paid off over five years, includes additional equipment, spares, and a training, repair, and logistical support package. The US government is providing USD30 million to support the purchase, and has cleared the sale of a further two helicopters should the Lithuanian Armed Forces request them.

“The decision to pass on to a modern western technology that meets all criteria and requirements was made in order to ensure proper readiness of armed forces to face the challenges of modern armed conflicts, as well as excellent compatibility and interoperability with allies. The new platform will fully substitute for the [Mil] Mi-8Ts currently used by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The Soviet-made helicopter fleet is in its thirties, and its airworthiness has come to the deadline, its operation is also difficult: expensive maintenance, prone to failures, risky repair because of complicated provision of spares from Russia,” the MND said.

News of the contract came some four months after the US State Department approved the sale to Lithuania of six Black Hawks for USD380 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification on 6 July followed an announcement by the MND in late 2019 that the country was to begin negotiations with the US government to acquire the Black Hawks to replace three Soviet-made Mi-8 ‘Hips’ and three French-built Aerospatiale AS365 N3+ Dauphins.

Lithuania signed for four Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk transport and utility helicopters on 13 Novembe...

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