UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for Austria and Sweden

On 29 May 2024, the US State Department approved possible Foreign Military Sales to the governments of Austria and Sweden for UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, along with related equipment, training, and support.

Both countries requested to purchase twelve UH-60M helicopters each, with differences in the related equipment. The value of the Swedish contract is USD 900 million, while the Austrian contract is valued at USD 1.05 billion.

Sweden already operates the UH-60M, locally named the Hkp16A, whereas Austria operates the S-70A-42. Austria received its Sikorsky S-70s in 2002/2003 and is currently upgrading its fleet of nine Black Hawks with work done by Ace Aeronautics in Guntersville, Alabama. These helicopters are receiving extensive avionics upgrades, with the first one re-delivered to Austria in March 2021.

In 2020, the Austrian Ministry of Defence purchased three UH-60L Black Hawks from the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF). An additional contract with Ace Aeronautics LLC will provide these Black Hawks with the same upgrades as the S-70A-42 models.

Sweden operates a fleet of fifteen Hkp16A Black Hawk helicopters, delivered between December 2011 and late 2012. In November 2022, Sweden's Defence Chief General Micael Byden revealed new defense spending and equipment plans for the upcoming period.

A significant aspect of these plans is the retirement of the NH90 helicopter fleet. According to the proposal, the NH90s will start being withdrawn from service in 2024, with the entire fleet retired by 2030. During the same 2024-2030 period, Sweden plans to acquire a new maritime platform and additional Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks. Any delays in the delivery of replacements will result in a more gradual withdrawal of the NH90s, but the entire fleet is set to be retired by 2035 at the latest under the new plans.

Credit photos: Bill de Koning (Scramble Archive) and Hans van Herk