US Approves Four Black Hawk Helicopters’ Sale to Latvia

The United States State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Latvia of four UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated $200 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale Friday.

The Government of Latvia has requested to buy four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in standard USG configuration with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), ten (1T700-GE-701D engines and ten Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems.  Also included is one Aviation Mission Planning System, five Talon Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR), ten AN/ARC-201D/E, ten AN/ARC-231 radios, five AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder, five AN/ARC-220 Radios and twenty AN/AVS-6 Helmet Mounted Night Vision Devices.

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 sale of these UH-60 helicopters to Latvia will significantly increase its capability to provide troop lift, border security, anti-terrorist, medical evacuation, search and rescue, re-supply/external lift, and combat support in all weather.

The prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut; and General Electric Aviation Company (GEAC) in Lynn, Massachusetts.  There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.