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.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
UH-60M Black Hawk (First Contact) [Croatia]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![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.
