The Lithuanian Armed Forces announced the receipt of the first UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters ordered from the United States.
"The first 'Black Hawks' of the Lithuanian army. The first with the tricolor and the Cross of Vytis," the message on Facebook states.
Lithuania purchased UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in 2020. Last year, a hangar for the storage, maintenance, and servicing of the helicopters was opened at Šiauliai Air Base.
The helicopters are intended to enhance the tactical mobility and support of Lithuania's ground forces and improve the ability to respond quickly to threats and emergencies.
Lithuania is the largest buyer of U.S. weapons among the Baltic states. Next year, the country plans to spend 5.38% of its GDP on defense needs.
For reference: Black Hawk – "black hawk," named after the military leader of the Sauk Indian tribe; the manufacturer's factory index is S-70, S stands for Sikorsky, the general-purpose index is UH-60, UH stands for Utility Helicopter – an American multi-role helicopter. It was adopted by the U.S. Army, replacing the Bell UH-1 "Huey."
Flight tests of the prototype modification of the UH-60 were completed in 1974, and in 1976, the helicopter won the competition for supply to the U.S. Army. By 1985, the U.S. Army had purchased over 300 UH-60 helicopters. By the mid-1990s, more than 2,600 helicopters had been built. To date, approximately 5,000 helicopters have been produced.
The cost of one UH-60 is about 25 million euros.
When equipped with additional pylons, it can be armed with AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles and additional fuel tanks for long-range flights. Additionally, machine guns M240, M134, and a 30-mm gun M230 can be installed in the front of the cargo compartment.
The current model used by the U.S. Army is the UH-60M.
