The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced on 10 July 2024 that it had proceeded with an order for 12 Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) construct.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the US State Department had approved the sale on 29 May 2024. The DSCA valued the deal, which includes 30 T700-GE-701D engines (24 installed and six spares) and numerous associated avionics, communications and mission systems, at USD 900 million (EUR 825 million).
The UH-60M Black Hawk, which is designated the Hkp16A in Swedish Air Force (SwAF) service, was first acquired by Sweden in 2011, when 15 examples were ordered for the SwAF. Among their first assignments was conducting medical transport missions during Swedish operations in Afghanistan.
“The procurement of more helicopters is in line with [the supreme commander’s] military advice to the government and the Defense Committee’s report on strengthened defence capabilities for Sweden as an ally,” Michael Stolpen, head of unit at the FMV, was quoted as saying in a press release by the organisation.
The 12 new UH-60Ms are likely to replace at least some of the SwAF’s fleet of 13 NH90 tactical troop transport/search-and-rescue (Hkp14A) helicopters and five search-and-rescue/anti-submarine warfare (Hkp14B) helicopters.
Deliveries of the new Black Hawks to Sweden “will be carried out continuously for several years”, according to the FMV.
