First Black Hawks for Albania
On 13 January 2024, the first two UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters were delivered to the Forca Ajrore e Republikës së Shqipërisë (Albania Air Force). The Black Hawks, serials FA-666 and FA-690, were delivered by a US Air Force C-17A Globemaster III to Tirana/Rinas International airport.
In April 2019, then Albanian Defense Minister Oltha Xhacka announced that Albania would receive three UH-60A Black Hawks. The contract for these US Army surplus medium utility helicopters was signed during her visit to the US in May 2020.
Given the Albanian serials, possible candidates for these two Black Hawks are former US Army 82-23666 respectively 82-23690. Both Black Hawks were reported for sale at the General Services Administration Auctions (GSA Auctions) website in 2019/2020. However, confirmation on the exact type and previous identities is needed.
The Albania Air Force is a pure helicopter force and the Black Hawks will be operated by the Regjimenti Helikopterëve at Tirana Heliport (Tiranë/Farkë). The mixed helicopter inventory consists of three AS532AL Cougar and two EC145 helicopters. The status of the Agusta A109, the AB205, the AB206 and the Bo105 helicopters is not known at this moment.
The Albanian Ministry of Defence published a video of the arrival of the new helicopters at YouTube.
Credit photo: Albanian Ministry of Defence