The renewal of Slovak air force inventory, which many in armed forces have been calling for, has became reality. First two new UH-60M multi-purpose helicopters landed yesterday, on 26^th June 2017 on PRESOV airbase. They will become part of Slovak Air force. Their transport was arranged by the contract for their acquisition. They were transported from USA by ship to German port of Bremerhaven, and subsequently flown to Slovakia by mixed Slovak-US crews.

The handover ceremony of the choppers will take place on Thursday, 6^th July 2017, in front of the media representatives. The 4 crews assigned for UH-60M have underwent training in US training facilities, while the training is still ongoing. By the end of 2017, 6 crews should be trained to fly UH-60M. The initial logistical support is arranged by the contract, and provides for supplies of ground support equipment, spare parts and consumable material. Part of the acquisition contract also specifies initial package of spare parts for first two years for 9 choppers, tooling, control and measuring equipment and mobile workstations for individual ground crew specialisations.

Option for further militarisation of the helicopters is currently being evaluated in forthcoming “Long term development of defence policy, aimed at strengthening armed forces of Slovak Republic”. Final decision will be based on the outcome of this analysis. New UH-60M choppers will be based at helicopter wing of col.gen. JAN AMBRUS air base in PRESOV. Slovak ministry of defence will acquire total of 9 multi-purpose UH-60M helicopters, in overall value of 261 mil. USD. The acquisition of the helicopters was subject to FMS (foreign military sales) approval.