Slovakia confirms order for 12 secondhand Black Hawks, rejecting AH-1Zs
December 27, 2024
Slovak deputy prime minister and defence minister Robert Kaliňák has announced that Slovakia is to purchase twelve UH-60 Black Hawk medium-lift utility helicopters for the Slovak Air Force, augmenting the current fleet of nine. This decision potentially leaves the AH-1Zs previously under consideration as available to Ukraine’s defence needs.
The twelve refurbished UH-90 aircraft will be provided by Alabama-headquartered ACE Aeronautics, with the deal (excluding weapons) valued at €150 million; significantly cheaper than the brand-new Vipers previously considered during a protracted process.
Following the donation of its ageing MiG-17 and Mi-2 helicopters to Ukraine, Slovakia had previously expressed interest in acquiring the AH-1Z, with its potential acquisition to have made it the second European operator of the type after the Czech Republic. In March 2023, following Slovakia’s pledge of 13 MiG-29 fighter jets for Ukraine, Slovakia’s defence minister confirmed that the US would offer 12 AH-1Z units for a heavily discounted price of $340 million – compensation for its fighter jet donation.
In July 2024, the US State department approved the possible foreign military sale (FMS) of twelve AH-1Z Viper helicopters to Slovakia – initially envisioned as destined for Pakistan – in a deal worth $600 million. “The proposed sale will improve Slovakia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the Slovak Air Force with aircraft to meet its national defence needs,” stated the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency at the time.
However, despite the aircraft available (with Pakistan’s proposed order of 15 halted due to political tension), Slovakia has been hesitant to purchase the choppers. The finalisation of the Black Hawk order instead now leaves the AH-1Zs apparently orphaned and a potentially attractive offer for Ukraine. However, although Kyiv is likely to intensify its lobbying requests for the aircraft, it is unclear how their acquisition might be funded.
