U.S. State Department Approves Potential $140M Black Hawk Helicopter Sale to Argentina

The UH-60L is an earlier-generation Black Hawk that retains a largely analog cockpit, unlike the newer UH-60M, which has a digital glass cockpit, improved rotor blades, modern flight controls and an integrated vehicle-health management system.
The proposed acquisition would give the Argentine Army its first Black Hawk helicopters; Argentine officials had previously disclosed plans to obtain an initial batch of four UH-60Ls.
The notification lists a detailed avionics and communications suite, including APX-100 and APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe transponders, Garmin GTN-750 GPS, ARC-220 high-frequency and ARC-186 very-high-frequency radios, and an EBC 406HM emergency locator transmitter.
The U.S. assessment says Argentina should have no difficulty absorbing the helicopters, equipment and services into its armed forces, and that implementing the sale would not require assigning additional U.S. government or contractor representatives.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $140 million sale of four Black Hawk helicopters to Argentina, marking the first time the country would obtain the aircraft Daily Mail. The deal includes spare engines, advanced avionics, training, and support for search-and-rescue, border security, and disaster response operations Rio Times. The helicopters would replace Argentina's aging fleet of UH-1H and Huey II aircraft.
The approval comes amid renewed tensions between Argentina and the UK over the Falkland Islands Gateway Pundit. However, the U.S. assessment confirms Argentina can absorb the equipment without requiring extra U.S. government or contractor staff on the ground.
The four UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters come with two spare T700-GE-701D engines, Garmin GTN-750 GPS systems, ARC-220 high-frequency radios, ARC-186 very-high-frequency radios, and APX-100 Identification Friend or Foe transponders Daily Mail. The package also includes rescue hoists, fast-rope equipment, cargo hooks, and Bambi Buckets for firefighting. No weapons or active defensive systems are included in the sale.
These are earlier-generation Black Hawks with analog cockpits, not the newer UH-60M models that feature digital glass cockpits and integrated vehicle-health management systems Rio Times. The notification does not specify whether the aircraft would receive modern digital upgrades or their original source.
This sale marks Argentina's first-ever acquisition of Black Hawk helicopters. Argentine officials had previously disclosed plans to obtain an initial batch of four UH-60Ls Gateway Pundit. The helicopters will support troop transport, counter-narcotics operations, medical evacuation, and disaster relief across the country.
The move modernizes Argentina's aging helicopter fleet. The UH-1H and Huey II aircraft they replace date back decades and lack the range, payload capacity, and avionics of modern Black Hawks Yahoo News. This upgrade significantly boosts Argentina's capability for rapid deployment and emergency response.
The sale approval arrives amid escalating disputes between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands GB News. Argentina has renewed its territorial claims, while Britain maintains control of the South Atlantic territory. Trump's administration appears willing to proceed despite these geopolitical tensions.
Neither the U.S. nor Argentina has formally linked the helicopter sale to Falkland Islands politics Rio Times. The agreement is structured as a Foreign Military Sale, which is non-binding until final contracts are signed. The actual cost and aircraft configuration could shift before completion.
Approval is not a done deal. The State Department must still finalize negotiations, and Argentina must formally request and fund the purchase Daily Mail. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, would serve as the principal contractor for delivery and support.
The timeline for delivery remains unclear. Argentina has the technical capacity to integrate the helicopters and support systems into its armed forces without needing permanent U.S. military advisors stationed in-country Rio Times. Training for Argentine pilots and mechanics would occur as part of the deal.
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