Lithuania has officially welcomed its first two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, part of a larger order that includes a total of four aircraft purchased from the United States in 2020. This procurement also encompasses supplementary equipment, spare parts, maintenance, training, and logistics packages, with the added option for two additional helicopters.
In August 2022, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence reported that Lockheed Martin had delivered these aircraft to a modification facility in Huntsville, Alabama, for necessary upgrades. Although the initial delivery date was set for 2024, it has now been rescheduled to October 2025. Neither the manufacturer nor Lithuanian officials have disclosed specific reasons for this delay.
The introduction of the UH-60 Black Hawks marks a significant transition for the Lithuanian Armed Forces, as these modern helicopters will replace the outdated Soviet-era Mi-8 models. This upgrade is part of a broader initiative to standardize military equipment in alignment with NATO standards.
Photos shared by the Lithuanian Armed Forces showcase the newly acquired helicopters, proudly displaying the Lithuanian flag and the Cross of Vytis. The Black Hawk’s impressive payload capacity of 9,000 pounds (4,082 kilograms) allows it to transport up to 12 fully-equipped soldiers or various external and internal loads.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, these helicopters are expected to greatly enhance the combat capabilities of Lithuania’s military forces, leading to improvements in training quality and facilitating both peacetime and combat missions in a more efficient and secure manner.
The Black Hawks will operate out of Å iauliai Air Base, which serves as the central hub for the Lithuanian Air Force and has previously hosted multiple NATO Baltic Air Policing missions. Additionally, this acquisition will bolster interoperability with NATO allies such as Latvia and Croatia, who also utilize Black Hawk helicopters, thereby enhancing collaborative defense efforts in the region.
