The Slovak Air Force has received the first two Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. That was reported by Ministry of Defence of Slovak Republic.

The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters were officially handed over on 3 August in a ceremony attended by Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdos and among others.  The new US-made helicopters are set to replace the current Mi-17s, which are nearing the end of their lifespans.

“I trust that the first two [helicopters] will be gradually joined by another seven under an agreed deadline in line with the approved contract,” said Gajdoš as cited by the TASR newswire. “This modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces and Air Force in particular will enable the Air Force to provide support to the military operations of ground forces and special forces and, of course, also provide domestic crisis management during crisis situations such as floods, snow drifts and fires.”

According to the spectator.sme.sk, the ministry will purchase a total of nine multipurpose helicopters for $261 million. The sale is completed via the US governmental programme Foreign Military Sales.

Another two Black Hawks are due to be supplied from the USA next year and another five in 2019.