The United States (U.S.) has completed delivery of eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Tunisia.
According a Tunisian military source, the black hawks will be used for transport, medical evacuation and combat operations.
The US Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) on 21 November confirmed that the deliveries started in June 2017 with the delivery of four of the helicopters. Delivery of the final batch of four helicopters this June completed the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case valued at more than $338 million.
Tunisia, along with other African countries, is facing security threats in the form of violent jihadist organizations and criminal activities such as pirating in coastal waters. The eight Black Hawks will bolster Tunisia’s ability to provide a safe and stable country for its citizens, the US Army said.
The eight Black Hawks were ordered form the United States in December 2014. There was talk of Tunisia acquiring an additional four, with Sikorsky being awarded a $38 million contract for the additional aircraft in September 2016, with work being completed in 2020.
Tunisia requested combat hawk kits that effectively turn the aircraft into attack helicopters with 2.75 in laser guided rockets, Hellfire missiles, 7.62 mm and .50 cal machineguns, and thermal imagers and laser designators.
Tunisia has made acquisitions of other military hardware from the United States, including two Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft in 2010, and has received donated equipment, including light aircraft, helmets, shields, bullet resistant vests and boats.
