New Black Hawks welcomed to the Australian Army

Joint-capabilities

07 August 2023

By: Robert Dougherty

Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P) on board United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter depart from Fort Magsaysay during a joint air assault training serial on Exercise Balikatan 23. Photo: LSIS Nadav Harel.

Three new US-built UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters have arrived in Australia to be operated by the Australian Army.

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Two Lockheed Martin-built helicopters, transported by US Air Force C-17 Globemaster transport plane to RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney on 30 July, are part of an initial batch of a total 40-strong helicopter fleet ordered by the Australian Defence Force. A third UH-60M Black Hawk arrived on Friday, 4 August also via US Air Force C-17, according to a Defence spokesperson.

Earlier this year, Defence and the Commonwealth confirmed the acquisition of 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, after approval was given from the US State Department for a US$1.95 billion purchase of the systems in August 2022.

“The first two of 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army arrived at RAAF Base Richmond Sunday, 30 July via US Air Force C-17, as scheduled,” a spokesperson for Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

Each UH-60M utility helicopter can reportedly support 9,979 kilograms in maximum gross weight and 12 fully equipped, seated troops. Other versions include combat assault, medical evacuation, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, special operations, and VIP transport.