The Portuguese Army has signed an agreement with Miami-based Sahar Group to acquire surplus US Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters.
Signed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, the agreement covers the refurbishment and modernization of an initial batch of three helicopters, with deliveries scheduled between late 2026 and mid-2028, Helis.com reported.
Two additional aircraft could be acquired in the future under the Portuguese government’s Support, Protection and Evacuation Helicopters program.
The acquisition marks a step toward restoring the Portuguese Army’s aviation capability, which has been absent since the Army Light Aviation Group was disbanded in 2015 due to budget constraints and delays in aircraft procurement.
Sahar Group will refurbish the helicopters and integrate mission systems before delivery. The Sikorsky aircraft are expected to be configured for tactical transport, medical evacuation, special operations support, search and rescue, disaster response, and wildfire suppression.
UH-60L Black Hawk
Developed to replace the aging UH-60A, the UH-60L Black Hawk entered production in 1989, with the first aircraft delivered later that year.
Powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines producing 1,880 shaft horsepower each, the upgraded variant offers improved lifting performance and infrared exhaust suppression.
It can carry external loads of up to 9,000 pounds (4,082 kilograms) while retaining the UH-60A’s capacity to transport 11 fully equipped soldiers.
The UH-60L has a cruising speed of 140 knots (161 miles/260 kilometers per hour) and a maximum speed of 193 knots (222 miles/357 kilometers per hour). On internal fuel, it has a combat range of 315 nautical miles (362 miles/583 kilometers).
