PZL Mielec, Lockheed Martin’s Polish subsidiary, has delivered the first four new-generation, European-manufactured Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk utility helicopters to Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lockheed Martin announced on 24 November 2023.
Two more Black Hawks are on schedule to arrive by the end of 2023.
Purchased as part of the European Union’s Vision 2020 project, the intended missions for Romania’s new Black Hawk helicopters include maritime and land search and rescue, firefighting, transport and medical emergency support.
An additional Black Hawk, procured within the European HeliPol project, is scheduled for delivery before the end of the year and is allocated for the Romanian Police, increasing its operational capacity.
The helicopters are part of a framework agreement that will see up to 12 Polish-built S-70M Black Hawks supplied to Romania over the next four years.
“Arrival of the first Black Hawk helicopters in Romania is a historic event. The Black Hawk is the most capable and dependable helicopter for crews who conduct vital life-saving and firefighting missions,” Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “These multi-role helicopters bring flexibility to conduct rescue missions at greater ranges and in the most challenging environments, and with increased survivability.”
In receiving its first S-70Ms Romania has become the 11th country and 18th customer for Black Hawk helicopters built by PZL Mielec, which is Poland’s largest exporter of aerospace equipment.
