Sweden buys more military helicopters.
A further twelve of the “Black Hawk” type have now been ordered from the USA, with delivery in the coming years.
– This acquisition is completely in line with ÖB’s military advice that was submitted to the government last autumn, says Colonel Mats Antonson in a press release.
Sweden already has 15 military helicopters that go under the name Helikopter 16, alternatively under the more popular “Black Hawk”.
With twelve new machines, they will almost double that number in the coming years.
– This acquisition is completely in line with ÖB’s military advice that was submitted to the government last autumn. ÖB then proposed that all helicopter systems be maintained during the period 2025–2030 and that an extended acquisition of Helicopter 16 be started, says Colonel Mats Antonson, who is the head of the Helicopter Flotilla, in a press release from the Armed Forces.
Located in Linköping
It was in December last year that the government decided to let the Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) enter into an agreement with the United States to acquire more helicopters.
The sale has already been approved by the US Department of State, and now FMV has signed the agreement.
The 15 helicopters Sweden has today are all located at the Helicopter Flotilla in Linköping. It has not yet been decided where the new helicopters will be located.
Used in Afghanistan
Sweden’s “Black Hawk” helicopters were used for the first time in Afghanistan, and were last used abroad in Mali in 2022.
Sweden has used the helicopter type since 2011.
– Helikopter 16 is a well-proven system that we are satisfied with. It is a robust and versatile machine that is built to function in a war situation. It can transport people and material both in and under the helicopter, carry a fire barrel and land in inaccessible places day or night, says Colonel Mats Antonson.