Croatia to acquire eight additional UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from US.

On 13 March 2024, through the direct signing of an intergovernmental agreement (Letter of Acceptance) with the United States, Croatia secured eight additional UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. This acquisition signals a pivotal shift away from Soviet-era military equipment towards Western technology, aligning with Croatia's comprehensive strategy to modernize its armed forces. This strategy also encompasses the phased replacement of its MiG-21 jets with pre-owned French Rafales, further enhancing its military capabilities and alignment with Western defense standards.
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Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk multi-role helicopter (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The transition to a Western air fleet began in 2019 with the U.S. approval for the sale of two UH-60 Black Hawks for an amount estimated at $115 million. These helicopters were added to two others previously gifted by the United States. The recent expansion, involving eight more UH-60M Black Hawks recommended by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in January, represents an investment estimated at $500 million. However, thanks to a cost-sharing agreement, Croatia will only pay 49% of the total amount, with the remainder funded by the United States.

Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić celebrated the agreement as a milestone for the Croatian armed forces and the country as a whole, highlighting the excellent cooperation with the United States. He also expressed his intention to continue strengthening bilateral ties, paving the way for future joint projects.

Croatia's current fleet includes four UH-60 helicopters, with the first two acquired in 2018 and the next two provided by the United States, delivered in February 2022. Besides the helicopters themselves, the sale includes a wide range of communication and security equipment, such as satellite communication systems, threat detection systems, onboard GPS, and much more.

The UH-60M Black Hawk is a versatile medium-lift utility helicopter developed by the American company Sikorsky Aircraft. It belongs to the larger UH-60 Black Hawk family, which has been in service with the US Army since 1978. The UH-60M is the latest variant, introduced to extend the helicopter's service life into the 2020s. With over 5,000 units produced, it serves various international customers.

Designed for versatility, the UH-60M can fulfill various roles, including troop transport, medical evacuation, command-and-control, search-and-rescue, and armed escort. It features low detectability and excellent nap-of-the-earth flight capabilities. The helicopter is also designed to withstand small arms fire and most high-explosive projectiles, offering protection to its occupants.

The UH-60M Black Hawk's avionics suite includes a digitized cockpit, autopilot, navigation system, and vehicle health management system, enhancing its overall capabilities. This helicopter can carry a crew of 2 pilots and 2 crew chiefs/gunners and has a maximum takeoff weight of 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs). It can transport up to 11 seated troops, 6 stretchers, or 9,000 lb of cargo externally. It has a maximum speed of 183 mph and a combat range of 370 miles.

Powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C/D turboshaft engines, each producing 1,994 hp, the UH-60M Black Hawk can reach a maximum speed of 294 km/h (183 mph), with a cruise speed of 282 km/h (175 mph) at maximum range. The helicopter has a combat range of 590 kilometers (370 miles or 320 nautical miles) and a ferry range of 2,221 kilometers (1,380 miles or 1,199 nautical miles) when equipped with ESSS stub wings and external tanks. It has a service ceiling of 5,800 meters (19,000 feet) and a rate of climb of 8.36 meters per second (1,646 feet per minute).

The UH-60M Black Hawk has a length of 19.76 meters (64.8 feet), a width of 2.36 meters (7.7 feet), and stands 5.13 meters (16.8 feet) tall. The helicopter's weight specifications include an empty weight of 5,675 kilograms (12,511 lbs) and a maximum takeoff weight of 9,979 kilograms (22,000 lbs). It is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C/D turboshaft engines, each generating 1,994 horsepower. The main rotor has a diameter of 16.36 meters (53.7 feet), covering an area of 210 m² (2,260 sq ft).

Armed variants of the UH-60M can carry a variety of weapons, including 2 × 7.62 mm M240 machine guns, 2 × 7.62 mm M134 miniguns, or 2 × 12.7 mm GAU-19 Gatling guns. The helicopter has four hardpoints, with two on each ESSS stub wing, allowing for different weapon combinations. It can carry 70 mm Hydra 70 unguided rockets in either a 7-tube (M260) or 19-tube (M261) pod. Additionally, it can mount up to 4 AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided air-to-ground missiles or 2 AIM-92 Stinger heat-seeking air-to-air missiles on each hardpoint. The Hellfire launcher rails can also accommodate M260 (7-tube) Hydra pods. Other armament options include gun pods in various calibers, such as 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, 20 mm, or 30 mm. Furthermore, it can be fitted with a VOLCANO minefield dispersal system to meet specific mission requirements.