Austria, July 03, 2024 - On Sunday, June 30, 2024, the contract for the purchase of twelve UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Austrian Armed Forces was signed.
This purchase represents a significant step towards the modernization and expansion of the Austrian Armed Forces' aircraft fleet.
Klaudia Tanner, Austrian Defense Minister said "With the purchase of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, we are making significant progress in improving our operational capability. These versatile aircraft make a significant contribution to increasing the safety of our soldiers. They will be invaluable to us in a wide range of operational scenarios, particularly in challenging mountainous regions and under extreme weather conditions. With this investment, we are taking another decisive step to ensure the operational readiness of our armed forces and to sustainably increase safety. We are proud to invest in the future of our Federal Army and to provide soldiers with the best possible resources"
The procurement of twelve Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks for the Austrian Air Force is being carried out through the US Army's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program in cooperation with the United States of America.
The aircraft will be procured as a complete package with logistical services, mission equipment and the necessary training for pilots and technicians with a planned budget of €715 million. The new medium transport helicopters will be stationed in Hörsching and will be available to the Austrian Air Force for at least 30 years. Delivery of the helicopters will begin in 2028 and will subsequently replace the Agusta Bell (AB212), which will be taken out of service at the end of the decade.
The Black Hawk is a very reliable transport helicopter that has become legendary due to its versatility. Since its release in 1974, this type of helicopter has been improved many times and adapted to technical developments.
The Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk's possible uses include air transport (personnel, material), patient transport, evacuations, the use of special forces, parachutist drop-offs and firefighting from the air. The Black Hawk has a range of around 590 kilometers, which can be extended to around 2,200 kilometers with externally attached additional tanks. It reaches a maximum speed of 300 km/h and the maximum flight altitude is around 6,000 meters.
This purchase represents a significant step towards the modernization and expansion of the Austrian Armed Forces' aircraft fleet.
Klaudia Tanner, Austrian Defense Minister said "With the purchase of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, we are making significant progress in improving our operational capability. These versatile aircraft make a significant contribution to increasing the safety of our soldiers. They will be invaluable to us in a wide range of operational scenarios, particularly in challenging mountainous regions and under extreme weather conditions. With this investment, we are taking another decisive step to ensure the operational readiness of our armed forces and to sustainably increase safety. We are proud to invest in the future of our Federal Army and to provide soldiers with the best possible resources"
The procurement of twelve Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks for the Austrian Air Force is being carried out through the US Army's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program in cooperation with the United States of America.
The aircraft will be procured as a complete package with logistical services, mission equipment and the necessary training for pilots and technicians with a planned budget of €715 million. The new medium transport helicopters will be stationed in Hörsching and will be available to the Austrian Air Force for at least 30 years. Delivery of the helicopters will begin in 2028 and will subsequently replace the Agusta Bell (AB212), which will be taken out of service at the end of the decade.
The Black Hawk is a very reliable transport helicopter that has become legendary due to its versatility. Since its release in 1974, this type of helicopter has been improved many times and adapted to technical developments.
The Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk's possible uses include air transport (personnel, material), patient transport, evacuations, the use of special forces, parachutist drop-offs and firefighting from the air. The Black Hawk has a range of around 590 kilometers, which can be extended to around 2,200 kilometers with externally attached additional tanks. It reaches a maximum speed of 300 km/h and the maximum flight altitude is around 6,000 meters.
Austrian S-70A-42 Black Hawk
See also |
UH-60M Black Hawk in
Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte Twelve UH-60M Black Hawks Approved for Austria
