Croatia signs deal with US to buy Black Hawk helicopters

The US government has covered 51% of the cost, with Croatia set to provide the remainder during the 2025-2027 period, the Croatian defence ministry said on Wednesday.

The helicopters, along with the supporting equipment end services, will be delivered in 2028.

With the deal, Croatia completes its Air Force helicopter squadron, defence minister Ivan Anusic said.

Prior to the deal, Croatia had four Black Hawk helicopters, including two donated by the US government, according to local media.

In January the United States approved the sale of the eight helicopters and related equipment and services to Croatia. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky, the Pentagon has said.

Earlier in January, Lockheed Martin and Romania’s aircraft construction and repair company Aerostar [BSE:ARS] said they inaugurated Europe’s first certified S-70 Black Hawk helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service centre in Romania’s eastern city of Bacau.

Croatia has been a NATO member since 2009. In 2021, it signed a deal with France for 12 used Rafale fighter jets.

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