As part of its modernization and capability-strengthening strategy, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) announced its intention to acquire 11 refurbished UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters through the U.S. Black Hawk Exchange Sales Team (BEST) program. With this addition, the FAB’s fleet of this model will rise to 24 units, consolidating the UH-60L as a central pillar in the country’s rotary-wing aviation. The operation, published in the Official Gazette of the Union on the 19th of the current month, amounts to $229.9 million and will be carried out in partnership with the U.S. company ACE Aeronautics LLC.
The acquisition not only implies the expansion of the fleet, but also the modernization of the UH-60L/S-70A helicopters already in FAB’s inventory. As part of the bid, the integration of Garmin’s BrIFD G5000H solution is foreseen, which will update the avionics systems with four 12-inch panoramic displays, touch controllers, and advanced functionalities in navigation, flight control, maps, and operational procedures. This update will allow for the unification of standards and ensure the operational relevance of the helicopters in increasingly demanding scenarios.
Currently, the FAB operates 13 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, deployed in missions of logistical support, combat rescue, operations in the Amazon, and humanitarian aid. The arrival of these new aircraft will strengthen the response capacity in emergencies and natural disasters, in addition to improving interoperability with allied forces in multinational exercises. In contexts of difficult access and limited infrastructure, the reliability and versatility of the Black Hawk have proven decisive for the fulfillment of critical missions.
The BEST program, under the U.S. Army’s scope, allows the transfer of used aircraft to allied governments, in this case Brazil, with the aim of reducing acquisition costs and ensuring financing for new platforms. This modality has been adopted as a key tool for the FAB, which seeks to balance the incorporation of additional assets with the progressive modernization of its systems, without compromising the budget allocated to other defense priorities.
In parallel, the Brazilian Army is also moving forward with the incorporation of Black Hawk helicopters, though in the more modern UH-60M version. After receiving authorization from the U.S. Department of State in May 2024, the Army confirmed the purchase of 12 new aircraft, with a package estimated at $950 million. These helicopters, supplied by Lockheed Martin, will begin to be delivered from and will be destined to replace the current UH-60L (HM-2 according to Brazilian designation) and AS532 UE Cougar (HM-3), whose obsolescence and logistical difficulties have significantly increased maintenance costs.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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