U.S. approves military sale to Austria of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $1.5 billion Foreign Military Sale to Austria for 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and an extensive package of equipment, training, and support, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notification to Congress labeled Transmittal 26-58.

Austria’s request covers 12 airframes powered by 26 T700-GE-701D engines—enough for two per aircraft plus spares—along with advanced survivability suites and communications gear. The package includes missile and radar warning systems, infrared countermeasures, Link 16 tactical data links, VHF/UHF/SATCOM radios, EO/IR sensors with a laser designator, terrain awareness and weather radar, and navigation and identification systems. Mission kits span fast-rope insertion and extraction gear, external rescue hoists, internal auxiliary fuel tanks, ballistic armor, crashworthy extended-range fuel tanks, and provisions for firefighting “Bambi bucket” operations and snow skis. The deal also provides training devices, a Black Hawk aircrew trainer, M134 mini-guns and spares, publications, and contractor logistics support.

The State Department said the sale would bolster a partner that contributes to political stability and economic progress in Europe, improve Austria’s ability to deter current and future threats, and advance U.S.-Austrian interoperability. The proposed transfer “will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the notification states, and Austria is expected to integrate the capability without difficulty.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company based in Jupiter, Florida, is the principal contractor. No offset arrangements were identified at this stage; any such agreements would be set during negotiations between Austria and the contractor.

Implementation is expected to involve about 15 U.S. government personnel and 15 contractor representatives deploying to Austria for extended periods to support de-processing, fielding, system checkout, training, and logistics.

The UH-60M is the latest standard production variant of the Black Hawk, a multi-mission utility helicopter widely used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and disaster response. The new aircraft would complement Austria’s existing rotary-wing fleet and expand lift, communications, and survivability for domestic missions and coalition operations.

Vienna has been modernizing key elements of its armed forces in recent years while maintaining its constitutional neutrality, amid heightened European security concerns following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The State Department’s approval is the first step in the Foreign Military Sales process; Congress will review the notification, and final quantities, configuration, and pricing may change during contract negotiations.