Lielvārde, LatviaMilitary Aviation
Lielvārde, LatviaLatvia receives its fourth and final UH-60M Black Hawk
The delivery completes the order for four helicopters approved in 2018. The Black Hawks are replacing the Latvian Air Force's Soviet-era Mi-17s.
The Latvian Air Force has received its fourth UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, it announced on 7 November 2026. According to the Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi, the aircraft, with tail number 107, arrived at Lielvārde Air Base aboard a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. It is the last of the four helicopters Latvia ordered from the United States.
According to the Air Force, the helicopters provide troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue operations, and air support for the tasks of National Armed Forces units.
An order from 2018
Latvia's government approved the purchase of four UH-60Ms in September 2018. The deal is worth €175 million and is being carried out under an intergovernmental agreement with the United States, according to the Latvian Ministry of Defence. According to Militarnyi, it also covers equipment, spare parts, training for aircrew and technical personnel, and technical support.
The first two helicopters arrived at Lielvārde on 11 December 2022 and were formally inducted in February 2023. At the time, the ministry said the remaining two would be delivered by the end of 2023. According to Militarnyi, the first three arrived in 2022 and 2023, so the last one has come later than originally announced. No reason for the delay has been given.
Replacing Soviet-era Mi-17s
The Black Hawks are gradually replacing the Soviet-era Mi-17 helicopters that carried out the Latvian Air Force's main transport and rescue missions. According to Militarnyi, Latvia handed two Mi-17s and two Mi-2s to Ukraine in August 2022 and another Mi-17 in 2023.
Sources
2 primary or official2 independent reports
Primary / Official
Latvian Air Force · x.com
Latvian Air Force on X, 7 November 2026Primary sourceMilitaryMinistry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia · mod.gov.lv
Black Hawk helicopter induction ceremonyPrimary sourceGovernment
Independent reporting
Militarnyi · militarnyi.com
Latvia Receives Fourth and Final Black Hawk Helicopter to Replace Soviet Mi-17sVerified mediaThe Defense Post · thedefensepost.com
Latvian Air Force Receives Two US Black HawksVerified media
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