US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III Delivers Two UH-60M Black Hawks to Croatia

The United States delivered two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters at Zagreb Airport. The arrival of the U.S. Black Hawk weapon system, valued at 360 million Kuna, will contribute to Croatia’s growing defense capabilities and military preparedness in support of NATO. The Black Hawk provides capabilities across a range of possible missions, from special operations to tactical troop transport to aeromedical evacuation. The delivery of helicopters, which was also reported by the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb, was flown into the capital aboard a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III airlifter.

Croatian Minister of Defense Mario Banoži? said, “It is my pleasure to attend the arrival of the first two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, which are the donation of our strategic partner, the United States of America. The Croatian Armed Forces will, with these powerful helicopters, acquire new capabilities and increase our level of interoperability. With the procurement of Black Hawk helicopters, the Republic of Croatia, as a reliable and credible NATO member, shows its commitment to replacing existing helicopters of eastern production and transferring to western technology.”

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Mark Fleming said, “Croatia has earned a reputation as a committed and capable NATO Ally, and the introduction of Black Hawks will further boost the capacities of the Croatian Armed Forces.” Chargé Fleming added, “We are working together every day to build the tools that our countries need to help ensure regional security and to support the strength of NATO more broadly.”

The Republic of Croatia’s incorporation of U.S. Black Hawk helicopters builds upon previous and ongoing military cooperation, including Croatia’s upcoming acquisition of Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Defense partnership between the United States and Croatia remains a cornerstone of the U.S.-Croatia relationship, with U.S. military assistance to Croatia reaching four and a half billion Kuna in the form of training, equipment, infrastructure construction, and specialized military education. Since Croatia joined the NATO Alliance, the U.S. and Croatian soldiers have served shoulder-to-shoulder from Afghanistan to Poland to Kosovo.