Croatia Buys Eight American Black Hawk Helicopters

(Patria) - The procurement of eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters represents a significant and important moment for the Croatian Armed Forces and Croatia, said Croatian Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić today at the Lučko barracks during the signing of the contract with the USA for the purchase of these aircraft.

- This is a significant and important moment for the armed forces, for the whole of Croatia, and a confirmation of the alliance and excellent cooperation with the USA - Anušić stated.

He noted that the cooperation of the Croatian Armed Forces with the USA has been ongoing since the Homeland War.

- The Homeland War is the foundation of the Croatian state. Therefore, we must know who Croatia's ally is, who helped it when it needed help. The victorious army of the Republic of Croatia will never forget that - Anušić emphasizes.

The total value of the eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters is 273.8 million US dollars. Four helicopters will arrive in Croatia through a donation from the USA, and four will be procured from the Croatian state budget.

US financial assistance covers 51 percent of the total amount, and the Ministry of Defence will secure the remaining amount in the three-year budget period from 2025 to 2027.

All helicopters with equipment are expected to be delivered to Croatia during 2028.

Croatia currently has four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, two of which were donated by the US government.

US Ambassador to Croatia Nathalie Rayes said that Black Hawk helicopters represent a "significant investment" in security and defence and that they are among the most efficient aircraft of their kind.

With the procurement of Black Hawk helicopters, "our strong ally will become even stronger," she emphasized.

The signing of the contract was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, and the Commander of the Croatian Air Force, Brigadier General Michael Križanec.

In a statement to journalists, Anušić rejected the claim that the signing of the helicopter procurement contract and the arrival of Rafale fighter jets were timed for the election campaign.