Four Black Hawk helicopters for Lithuania

Regarding the possible order for six UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters published by the US State Department in July 2020, the Government of Lithuania is set to sign a contract for just four UH-60Ms.

On 6 July 2020, the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Lithuania of six UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD380 million.

On 10 November 2020, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence announced that it is set to sign a contract for the four Black Hawks on short notice. Over the next five years, Lithuania agreed to pay USD 213 million for the helicopters, additional equipment, spares, and a training, repair and logistical support package.

The UH-60M Black Hawks improves Lithuania’s interoperability with NATO allies, particularly neighboring Poland and Latvia, and moves it away from reliance on the outdated Mi-8T currently in service.

Photo: Oscar Vis (Scramble Magazine Archive)