Albania Receives Its First Two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters
The Albanian Air Force has received the first two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the United States. On January 13, a US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft touched down at Rinas Airport in Tirana, the capital of Albania, with two secondhand helicopters, serial numbers FA-666 and FA-690. The ceremony marking the arrival of the helicopters was attended by US Embassy in Tirana Chargé d’Affaires David Wisner, Albanian Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi, Chief of General Staff Major General Arben Kingji, Air Force Commander Brigadier General Ferdinant Dimo, and Albanian Armed Forces pilots and technicians.
In a statement about the delivery, David Wisner, Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Tirana, said: “The new helicopters will help bolster Albania’s rotary wing capabilities and the ability to conduct medical evacuation, personnel recovery, search and rescue missions, and support NATO’s logistics movements for operations and exercises. The United States is proud of the strong defense partnership with Albania.”
Albanian Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi added by saying, “Two Black Hawk helicopters arrived in our country as a significant investment for our Armed Forces. We especially thank our strategic partner, the US, for their continued support. The protection and security of our country is our absolute priority.”
The delivery was made in accordance with an agreement signed in May 2020 by the Albanian Ministry of Defense and the Pentagon. This contract, funded by more than $50 million in US aid, includes three surplus UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the US Army’s stockpile. Along with the aircraft, this program includes pilot, aircrew, and maintenance crew training, parts support, and, most importantly, assistance with institutional reforms to adjust tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure the aircraft’s long-term viability.
With the delivery of these helicopters, the Albanian Air Force’s capacity for troop transport, border security, counter-terrorism, medical evacuation, search and rescue, supply/external lift, and combat support operations will be significantly increased. These UH-60 helicopters will also improve interoperability with US and NATO forces, allowing for more rapid response to a variety of missions and troop positioning with minimal helicopter presence.