US Hands Over Two Black Hawk Choppers to Jordan

The United States handed over two Black Hawk attack helicopters to Jordan Sunday, being the last batch of 12 machines Washington gave to the Middle East country under a security assistance program.

An American embassy statement said the aircraft "will strengthen the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF), its Quick Reaction Force and Jordan's security".

"The United States is committed to supporting the JAF's efforts to protect Jordan's borders, counter-terrorism, assist in civil defence operations, and defeat ISIS through the international coalition," it said

The helicopters were handed over at the King Abdullah II Air Base in northeast Jordan on January 28. Black Hawks overflew the base while the Jordanian armed forces conducted a live fire and infiltration demonstration.

The U.S. delivered the first installment of the 12 Black Hawks in March 2017 and the final installment in December 2017, a delivery completed in unprecedented speed for this number of aircraft.

Last year, the United States allocated $470 million to Jordan's army and air force,  which included pilot and maintenance training, spares, ground equipment, weapons, ammunition and shelters for the Black Hawks, the embassy added.