Last HKP 16 Black Hawk delivered

The last helicopter of 15 ordered Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks arrived in Sweden earlier today. The arrival marks the end of a record-breaking 16-month delivery that has enhanced the helicopter capacity in the Swedish Armed Forces Helicopter Wing significantly.

The acquisition of the medium-heavy Black Hawk helicopter system, locally designated HKP 16 (“Helikopter 16”), was announced on April 9, 2011. It was followed by the first delivery to Malmen Helicopter Base in Linköping eight months later, on December 15. The first four Black Hawks were transported to Afghanistan in late March this year in order to supply tactical on-scene medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) to the International Security Assistance Force’s (ISAF) peacekeeping operations.

The delivery of the HKP 16 Black Hawk has been conducted in a remarkable high pace, which was a key factor when acquiring the helicopters. The UH-60 was ordered due to a significant shortfall in helicopters that had been caused by delayed deliveries and ongoing retirements. Eighteen NH90 helicopters had been ordered in 2001, but they were not expected to be fully operational until earliest 2020. By purchasing proven helicopters the Armed Forces hoped to avoid the same fate as with the NH90s.

The Swedish Armed Forces Helicopter Wing operates four helicopter systems at the moment: Super Puma (HKP 10), Agusta AW109 LUH (HKP 15), NH90 (HKP 14) and Black Hawk (HKP 16). The nine Super Pumas, of which three were recently involved in the ISAF operations in Afghanistan, will soon be retired. The future fleet will consist of 18 NH90s, 20 AW109s and 15 UH-60s.