First UH-60M Black Hawks for Lithuanian Air Force
The first three Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters have been transferred from the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation factory to the modification factory in Huntsville (AL). The fourth one will be transferred by the end of August.
In November 2020, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence announced that it signed a contract for four Black Hawks. Over a period of five years, Lithuania will pay USD 213 million for the helicopters, additional equipment, spares, and a training, repair and logistical support package. The UH-60M Black Hawks improves Lithuania’s interoperability with NATO allies, particularly neighboring Poland and Latvia, and moves it away from reliance on the outdated Mi-8T currently in service.
Known Foreign Military Sale (FMS) serials of the three UH-60Ms are 21-27463, 21-27464 and 21-27466. The fourth one will definitely be 21-27465. The future Lithuanian serials are not known yet.
According to the Minister of National Defense, Arvydas Anušauskas, Lithuania will receive the first two UH-60Ms with additional equipment in 2024, when the Lithuanian army will already have fully trained personnel to work with the new helicopter - pilots and ground service specialists, as well as service and ground equipment.
Photo via Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania