The U.S. Embassy in Zagreb announced that on March 13, 2024, the United States and Croatia signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the purchase of eight new Black Hawk helicopters. This joint U.S.-Croatia investment will increase Croatia’s Black Hawk helicopter fleet from four to twelve, bolstering Croatia’s self-defense and the security of NATO space. The UH-60M Black Hawk multi-role helicopter serves in the United States as the U.S. Army’s primary front-line, medium-lift, utility helicopter supporting assault, air cavalry, and aeromedical evacuation units. These helicopters are currently used in fourteen NATO countries – the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Turkey, Portugal, Croatia, Albania, Czechia, Greece, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Latvia – and are also deployed in support of multiple NATO operations and activities including in Iraq and Kosovo.
“The purchase of these Black Hawk helicopter represents a joint U.S.-Croatia investment in Croatia’s defense modernization and our shared goal to ensure the security of our Alliance. As demonstrated with the recent delivery of the first tranche of Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, we are committed to Croatia’s self-defense and the security of NATO. We continue to show, not just with words but with joint actions, that Croatia – a strong and capable Ally – is becoming even stronger and more capable. I can affirm that the relationship between the United States and Croatia has never been stronger and defense cooperation is the cornerstone of that relationship. Together, as allies and friends, we share a commitment to NATO’s common values of liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” said U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nathalie Rayes at the March 13 LOA signing ceremony.
In January 2024, the US State Department approved a foreign military sale of rotorcraft and related gear and services to Croatia for an estimated cost of $500 million. This contract means the Croatian military will be able to bring its Black Hawk fleet to a total of 12 twin-engine, medium-lift helicopter. This year Zagreb plans to spend around €1.17 billion ($1.28 billion) on defense, an increase of about 11% compared with 2023. Washington will fund 51 percent of this amount as compensation for military aid that Croatia has transferred to Ukraine. Croatian support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine included, among other things, Mi-17 helicopters.
The United States is proud to support Croatia’s Black Hawk helicopter program and U shared commitments to the NATO Alliance. As we approach the 15th anniversary of Croatia’s NATO membership on April 1, these joint investments prove once again that our security is shared and we stand stronger together. In addition, these are the same aircraft flown by the Minnesota National Guard, which will help Croatia further integrate the Black Hawk helicopter capability through long-term State Partnership Program (SPP) initiatives together with the Croatian Armed Forces.
