The US State Department has approved possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment to Austria and Sweden, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 29 May 2024.
The approved FMS deals, which cover 12 UH-60Ms for each nation, are valued at USD 1.05 billion (EUR 970 million) for the Austrian purchase and USD 900 million for the Swedish buy and have been submitted to the US Congress for final approval.
Late May has thus seen a potential bonanza for Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky business, manufacturer of the UH-60, as the DSCA had already announced an approved FMS covering 12 UH-60Ms for Brazil on 24 May.
The Austrian FMS covers 12 UH-60M Black Hawks, 26 T700-GE-701D engines (24 installed and two spares) and numerous associated avionics, communications and mission systems. The Swedish FMS covers 12 UH-60Ms, 30 T700-GE-701D engines (24 installed and six spares) and numerous associated avionics, communications and mission systems (although fewer systems in total than the Austrian buy).
Both sales include spares, technical publications and various aspects of logistics, training and programme support.
The Austrian Air Force currently operates nine older S-70A Black Hawks, while the Swedish Air Force already operates 15 UH-60Ms.
