Jordanian UH-60M purchase gets US approval

The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of a single Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift utility helicopter and related equipment to Jordan.

Approval of the potential deal – worth US$23m – was announced in a media release from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on July 7, after it had notified the US Congress.

According to the DSCA, the additional acquisition “will supplement Jordan’s existing Royal Squadron fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and be used to facilitate the movement of the Jordanian Royal Family in a safe and efficient manner. Jordan already has the UH-60M capability and will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.”

Jordan has requested to purchase a single UH-60M, which will be delivered in a US Army configuration and with standard government furnished equipment. The proposed sale will also include two GE Aviation T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines and a common missile warning system. The potential deal will also include logistical, engineering and software development support services.

If the deal goes through, work to deliver the UH-60M to Jordan will be conducted by Sikorsky at its facility in Stratford, Connecticut, and GE Aviation’s plant in Lynn, Massachusetts.

AirForces Intelligence data shows that the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) currently operates 12 UH-60M Black Hawks under 8 Squadron, which is a part of the Prince Hashim Bin Abdullah II Royal Aviation Brigade at King Abdullah II air base in Zarqa, Jordan.

Although the sale has gained DSCA approval, it still has must be green lit by the US Congress before any official order is made.