U.S. State Department approved sale to Argentina of 4 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters for $140 million under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. This may provide interesting opportunity for viewing prices of various versions and configurations of such machines, which in Argentine case will cost more than F-16.
Besides 4 helicopters, package includes only 2 T700-GE-701D engines, friend-or-foe identification equipment, navigation and communications assets. Also declared is various rescue and firefighting equipment, like collapsible Bambi Bucket water container.
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U.S. State Department announcement indicates Black Hawks will be used not only for emergency response but also for border patrol and transnational crime fighting. Main contractor for potential order will be Lockheed Martin.
Defense Express notes such equipment set is unsurprising, as Argentina this year experienced severe forest fires. Military aviation from army, air forces and navy is engaged for fire suppression.
At same time, more interesting here is price — specifically $140 million for 4 aircraft, or $35 million per unit, which looks cheap compared to Norway contract where 21 UH-60M helicopters cost $2.3 billion, or $109.5 million each. However there is simple explanation: Norwegians ordered new equipment, while Argentina is offered used.
Main factor indicating this is Black Hawk modification for Argentina — specifically UH-60L, which has been out of production for almost two decades. Therefore such helicopters can arrive only used from manufacturer company stocks or U.S. itself.
Now story becomes interesting for Ukraine, as Armed Forces army aviation specifically wants to transition to used Black Hawks. Meaning, as we see, such helicopter procurement is genuinely noticeably cheaper than new aircraft but still requires investment.
At same time, worth noting Argentines had quite limited package with only 2 spare engines and minimum equipment set. Any additional services and elements will further increase procurement price.
Regarding Argentina, there is another interesting nuance — one Black Hawk will still cost more than used F-16. The latter cost country $320 million for 24 units, or $13 million per aircraft.
However, worth remembering fighters received discount in exchange for transferring Mi-171E helicopters of russian manufacture to Ukraine. Also later Argentines received bill of up to $1 billion for fighter restoration and weapons, so ultimately helicopters come out cheaper.
Finally, worth noting currently no firm contracts for UH-60L delivery to Argentina are signed. Moreover, country currently does not operate such helicopters, but purchase is still possible, especially given relations with U.S.
