The US State Department has approved the possible sale to Brazil of three Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment in a deal worth an estimated $145 million.
To be acquired via the Foreign Military Sales mechanism, the rotorcraft will be used for search and rescue and internal security missions. The contract includes eight General Electric T700 engines, M-134 machine guns and GPS systems.
Congress, which was notified of the State Department’s decision on 8 September, must still ratify the acquisition.
Flightglobal’s Ascend Online database records the three Brazilian services as operating a total of 23 Sikorsky S-70 and UH-60L helicopters.
Separately, Croatia is also hoping to acquire Black Hawks as it looks to update its air force fleet to bring it in line with NATO standards.
Media reports suggest it will offer 14 of its modernised Russian-built Mil Mi-8MTV rotorcraft to the Ukraine in exchange for 20 newer helicopters from the USA.
These are likely to be ex-US Army UH-60Ls rather than new-build M models, however.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
