US approves UH-60Ms for Lithuania

The US government has approved the sale to Lithuania of six Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for USD380 million.

Lithuania is set to become a Black Hawk operator, with the purchase of six helicopters approved by the US government. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval, announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 6 July, covers the helicopters, as well as equipment, weapons and ammunition, spares, support, and training.

“The proposed sale of these UH-60 helicopters to Lithuania will significantly increase its capability to provide troop lift, border security, anti-terrorist, medical evacuation, search and rescue, re-supply/external lift, combat support in all weather. These UH-60 helicopters will allow for interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces in rapid response to a variety of missions and quick positioning of troops with minimal helicopter assets,” the DSCA said.

The DSCA notification follows an announcement by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) in late 2019 that the country was to begin negotiations with the US government to acquire six UH-60M helicopters to replace three Soviet-made Mil Mi-8 ‘Hips’ and three Aerospatiale AS365 N3+ Dauphins. The prospective sale to Lithuania must now be approved by Congress before a contract can be signed.