Lithuania Orders Four Black Hawk Gunships for $213M

Lithuania’s Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis and Acting U.S. Secretary of Defence Christopher C.Miller recently finalized a contract on the former’s acquisition of four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

Signed on November 13, the deal covers delivery of four Black Hawk rotorcraft, additional equipment, spares, and a training, repair and logistical support package. Payment will be done over the next five years, Lithuanian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The new choppers will replace the country’s obsolete, Soviet-era Mi-8 helicopters.

On July 6, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of six UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment to the country for $380 million.

The U.S Government will provide roughly $30 million financial support for the project. Lithuania also received approval from the U.S. Congress to procure two more helicopters in the future if necessary.

The first shipment of the Black Hawks could be delivered to Lithuania in late 2024 when the Lithuanian Armed Forces will have fully trained personnel – pilots and ground support specialists – to work with the new platform, and ready maintenance and ground support equipment.