Sweden's first of 15 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters have been officially transferred to the nation's armed forces, ahead of the type's deployment to Afghanistan next year.
Pictured during a handover ceremony at Malmen air base on 17 January, the new aircraft will have the national designation HKP 16, and be flown by the Swedish Defence Forces Helicopter Wing.
![]() |
---|
|
Both images © Gunnar Åkerberg |
Operations in Afghanistan will commence during 2013, with the Black Hawks to replace Eurocopter AS332 Cougars in supporting Stockholm's contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Sweden is acquiring its UH-60Ms under an accelerated Foreign Military Sales deal signed with the USA last year.
Source: Flight International