Black Hawks help Croatian shift to Western equipment
Two US-donated Black Hawk helicopters have been airlifted to Croatia. (Photo: Croatian MoD)
The first pair of UH-60M Black Hawks has been airlifted from the US to Croatia, with two more on order.
Two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters donated by the US to Croatia have finally arrived in Zagreb via USAF C-17 airlifter, almost two years later than originally planned.
The Croatian MoD added in a 3 February statement that it is buying two more UH-60Ms. In October 2019, the US State Department approved an estimated $115 million FMS for two helicopters.
Adm Robert Hranj, Chief of General Staff in the Croatian Armed Forces, said that the two donated Black Hawks helicopters will reach IOC ‘in the next two to three months’ and FOC by the end of 2022, following a formal handover process and the final stage of pilot training.
Speaking on 3 February in a ceremony at Zagreb International Airport to welcome the two helicopters, Croatian defence minister Mario Banožić said that the procurement of UH-60Ms is just one step ‘in the transition to Western technology’.
Croatia intends to use two of the four Black Hawks as utility helicopters for missions such as casualty evacuation, search and rescue, troop transport and airborne assault.
The other pair will enter service with Croatian airborne SOF special forces air team, said Hranj.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
-
![KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters]()
KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters
Airbus Helicopters and KAI have agreed a contract covering the supply of helicopter components for the latter over the next decade.
-
![Dart Aerospace to supply high-lift heliporter to US Navy]()
Dart Aerospace to supply high-lift heliporter to US Navy
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is has been awarded an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the US DoD to provide a high-lift heliporter designed and manufactured by Dart Aerospace to the USN.
-
![Indonesia signs MoU for S-70M Black Hawks]()
Indonesia signs MoU for S-70M Black Hawks
The Indonesian military has turned its sights on S-70M Black Hawk helicopters, with the service never having bought platforms from Sikorsky before.
-
![Industry awarded new contracts for Australian and US Apache attack helicopter work]()
Industry awarded new contracts for Australian and US Apache attack helicopter work
Longbow LLC and Lockheed Martin have received new contracts to supply Longbow fire control radars to Australia, and refurbish US Army Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) equipment. Both systems equip the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
