Portugal to purchase more UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the US
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According to Paulo Mata, on February 26, 2025, Portugal will purchase five new UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for the Portuguese Army’s Support, Protection & Evacuation Helicopter program at an estimated cost of €50 million. The announcement was made by the Portuguese Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo, during a parliamentary defense commission session on February 25, 2025. This procurement follows previous acquisitions of UH-60A Black Hawks by the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) for aerial firefighting missions.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Support, Protection, and Evacuation Helicopter program marks the first time the Portuguese Army will operate its own helicopters, including the UH-60 Black Hawk, with the units expected to be based at the Tancos military facility. (Picture source: US DoD)
The Portuguese Air Force previously acquired nine UH-60A Black Hawks for aerial firefighting, with two delivered by 2023. The contract for six of these helicopters was signed with Arista Aviation Services on August 12, 2022. These helicopters were purchased to replace the fleet of Russian Kamov Ka-32A11BC helicopters, which were grounded due to spare parts shortages and later transferred to Ukraine. The UH-60A acquisition was co-financed by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), covering 81% of the total cost. The first batch of UH-60s was officially received during a ceremony at Ovar’s Aeródromo de Manobra No. 1 on November 22, 2023.
The UH-60 Black Hawks introduced aerial firefighting capabilities to Portugal. The FAP-configured UH-60s are equipped with Bambi Buckets, capable of carrying 2,950 liters of water per deployment. These helicopters can transport up to 12 firefighters with their equipment and operate for approximately 150 minutes while conducting water drops. Their deployment increased state-owned aerial firefighting resources, complementing the Canadair CL-415 water bombers.
The Portuguese Support, Protection & Evacuation Helicopter program marks the first time the Portuguese Army will operate its own rotary-wing assets, with the helicopters expected to be stationed at the Tancos military base. The procurement aligns Portugal with other NATO allies that have dedicated army aviation units, enhancing mobility for troops and equipment in both domestic and international operations. The investment also includes infrastructure upgrades at Tancos, as well as training for pilots and ground crews. The helicopters are intended to improve operational flexibility, enabling rapid response for defense, disaster relief, and medical evacuation missions.
The new procurement for the Portuguese Army indicates an expansion beyond firefighting roles, with potential use in transport, medical evacuation, and tactical missions. Observers speculate that, given the cost of €50 million for five helicopters, these units are likely to be refurbished airframes similar to those acquired by the FAP rather than new UH-60M models. As part of the Support, Protection & Evacuation Helicopter program, these UH-60s may be used for military logistics, special operations, or humanitarian assistance. The Portuguese Air Force’s previous contract with Arista Aviation Services included maintenance support and training for pilots and mechanics, which may also be implemented for the Army’s helicopters. Additionally, the restructuring of procurement plans outlined in the November 27, 2023, Diário da República suggests an adjustment in the composition of Portugal’s helicopter fleet, increasing medium-lift capacity.
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for the U.S. Army. Its design was initiated in response to the U.S. Army’s Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) program in the 1970s, aimed at replacing the UH-1 Iroquois. The first prototype, designated YUH-60A, flew in 1974, and following a competitive evaluation, it was selected over the Boeing Vertol YUH-61. The UH-60 entered service in 1979 and more than 5,000 units had been produced by January 2023, as the helicopter is operated by more than 30 countries worldwide.
The UH-60 family includes several main variants tailored for different operational requirements. The UH-60A was the initial production model, followed by the UH-60L, which featured upgraded engines and improved payload capacity. The UH-60M, an extensively modernized version, incorporates advanced avionics, enhanced rotor blades, and a more powerful transmission system. Other derivatives include the HH-60 Pave Hawk for search and rescue, the SH-60 Seahawk for naval operations, and the MH-60 Black Hawk variants used by U.S. special operations forces. Export versions such as the S-70 series have also been developed for international customers. Moreover, the Firehawk variant is designed for aerial firefighting, equipped with an internal tank capable of holding 3,785 liters of water.
The UH-60 Black Hawk is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, each producing 1,940 shaft horsepower, allowing for a maximum speed of 294 km/h and a service ceiling of 5,800 meters. With a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 10,000 kg, this helicopter has an internal cargo capacity of 1,450 kg and can carry up to 11 fully equipped troops. With an external load capability of up to 4,100 kg, it is equipped for sling-load operations. The UH-60 is also configured for aerial refueling in some variants, extending its operational range. Some versions are equipped with external store support systems, allowing them to carry additional fuel tanks or weaponry, including Hellfire missiles, rocket pods, and machine guns. The aircraft’s survivability features include ballistic-tolerant fuel tanks, crash-resistant seats, and redundant flight control systems.
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According to Paulo Mata, on February 26, 2025, Portugal will purchase five new UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for the Portuguese Army’s Support, Protection & Evacuation Helicopter program at an estimated cost of €50 million. The announcement was made by the Portuguese Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo, during a parliamentary defense commission session on February 25, 2025. This procurement follows previous acquisitions of UH-60A Black Hawks by the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) for aerial firefighting missions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Support, Protection, and Evacuation Helicopter program marks the first time the Portuguese Army will operate its own helicopters, including the UH-60 Black Hawk, with the units expected to be based at the Tancos military facility. (Picture source: US DoD)
The Portuguese Air Force previously acquired nine UH-60A Black Hawks for aerial firefighting, with two delivered by 2023. The contract for six of these helicopters was signed with Arista Aviation Services on August 12, 2022. These helicopters were purchased to replace the fleet of Russian Kamov Ka-32A11BC helicopters, which were grounded due to spare parts shortages and later transferred to Ukraine. The UH-60A acquisition was co-financed by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), covering 81% of the total cost. The first batch of UH-60s was officially received during a ceremony at Ovar’s Aeródromo de Manobra No. 1 on November 22, 2023.
The UH-60 Black Hawks introduced aerial firefighting capabilities to Portugal. The FAP-configured UH-60s are equipped with Bambi Buckets, capable of carrying 2,950 liters of water per deployment. These helicopters can transport up to 12 firefighters with their equipment and operate for approximately 150 minutes while conducting water drops. Their deployment increased state-owned aerial firefighting resources, complementing the Canadair CL-415 water bombers.
The Portuguese Support, Protection & Evacuation Helicopter program marks the first time the Portuguese Army will operate its own rotary-wing assets, with the helicopters expected to be stationed at the Tancos military base. The procurement aligns Portugal with other NATO allies that have dedicated army aviation units, enhancing mobility for troops and equipment in both domestic and international operations. The investment also includes infrastructure upgrades at Tancos, as well as training for pilots and ground crews. The helicopters are intended to improve operational flexibility, enabling rapid response for defense, disaster relief, and medical evacuation missions.
The new procurement for the Portuguese Army indicates an expansion beyond firefighting roles, with potential use in transport, medical evacuation, and tactical missions. Observers speculate that, given the cost of €50 million for five helicopters, these units are likely to be refurbished airframes similar to those acquired by the FAP rather than new UH-60M models. As part of the Support, Protection & Evacuation Helicopter program, these UH-60s may be used for military logistics, special operations, or humanitarian assistance. The Portuguese Air Force’s previous contract with Arista Aviation Services included maintenance support and training for pilots and mechanics, which may also be implemented for the Army’s helicopters. Additionally, the restructuring of procurement plans outlined in the November 27, 2023, Diário da República suggests an adjustment in the composition of Portugal’s helicopter fleet, increasing medium-lift capacity.
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for the U.S. Army. Its design was initiated in response to the U.S. Army’s Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) program in the 1970s, aimed at replacing the UH-1 Iroquois. The first prototype, designated YUH-60A, flew in 1974, and following a competitive evaluation, it was selected over the Boeing Vertol YUH-61. The UH-60 entered service in 1979 and more than 5,000 units had been produced by January 2023, as the helicopter is operated by more than 30 countries worldwide.
The UH-60 family includes several main variants tailored for different operational requirements. The UH-60A was the initial production model, followed by the UH-60L, which featured upgraded engines and improved payload capacity. The UH-60M, an extensively modernized version, incorporates advanced avionics, enhanced rotor blades, and a more powerful transmission system. Other derivatives include the HH-60 Pave Hawk for search and rescue, the SH-60 Seahawk for naval operations, and the MH-60 Black Hawk variants used by U.S. special operations forces. Export versions such as the S-70 series have also been developed for international customers. Moreover, the Firehawk variant is designed for aerial firefighting, equipped with an internal tank capable of holding 3,785 liters of water.
The UH-60 Black Hawk is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, each producing 1,940 shaft horsepower, allowing for a maximum speed of 294 km/h and a service ceiling of 5,800 meters. With a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 10,000 kg, this helicopter has an internal cargo capacity of 1,450 kg and can carry up to 11 fully equipped troops. With an external load capability of up to 4,100 kg, it is equipped for sling-load operations. The UH-60 is also configured for aerial refueling in some variants, extending its operational range. Some versions are equipped with external store support systems, allowing them to carry additional fuel tanks or weaponry, including Hellfire missiles, rocket pods, and machine guns. The aircraft’s survivability features include ballistic-tolerant fuel tanks, crash-resistant seats, and redundant flight control systems.
