The Government of the Republic of Croatia has adopted proposals for two decisions, regarding the procurement of eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, as well as related equipment and services, by the Croatian Armed Forces for a total estimated cost of US$273,807,829

The U.S. Government provided 51 percent of the needed financial resources.

Croatia’s Ministry of Defence will plan the remaining funds for the budgetary periods of 2025-2027 and 2026-2028. The latter will include budgetary funds for the payment of value-added tax on the supply of goods and services.

It concerns the proposal for a decision on the procurement of non-financial assets of the Ministry of Defence to equip the Croatian Armed Forces with eight more UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, as well as the proposal for a decision on approving the Ministry of Defence to use the state budgetary funds to equip the Croatian Armed Forces with eight more UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in the period between 2025 and 2028.

Concerning the project of equipping the Croatian Armed Forces with multi-role UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, state secretary of the Ministry of Defence Zdravko Jakop noted that helicopter capabilities are one of the essential and crucial capabilities necessary for the accomplishment of the forces’ missions and tasks. He stated Western technology must take the place of Eastern technology in order to achieve interoperability with NATO and EU forces.

“Given the need to replace all Mi-8/17 helicopters, the plan is to continue the process of equipping the CAF with a minimum of 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters according to the four-plus-four principle (four helicopters will be provided through a donation from the United States Government and four helicopters via procurement from the state budget), which is why a written request was sent to the United States at the end of April 2023,” Jakop explained.

He mentioned the four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters that the Croatian Air Force now possesses, which were delivered at the end of 2022 as part of the project of equipping the Croatian Armed Forces with these helicopters in collaboration with the U.S. Government.

The U. S. Government donated two of the four helicopters, while the Ministry of Defence acquired the remaining two.

During the session, the Croatian Government also approved the final draft proposal of the Act confirming the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the United States Government regarding the Leahy Law ineligible units written agreement requirement.

This Agreement was signed on 19 October 2023 in Washington, D.C., to establish a legal framework for the United States to support the Republic of Croatia through security assistance and other programmes.

This would allow for continued cooperation in the area of the Croatian Armed Forces’ modernisation and equipping, as well as strengthen ties with the U.S. as the primary strategic partner in the defence and security domains.

“The purpose of the agreement is to determine the conditions regarding limitations in the provision of U.S. assistance to the security forces, also known as the Leahy Law,” Jakop stated.

The Croatian Parliament will be presented with the final proposal of the Act confirming the previously stated Agreement for consideration and adoption.