Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Security, USA

Lithuania will pay the US government 181 mln euros (213 mln US dollars) for the platform over five years. The US government has also allocated 30 mln dollars (around 26 mln euros) in financial support for the project. The first helicopters may be delivered to Lithuania in late 2024.

Lithuania unveiled plans to purchase Black Hawks a year ago. The country initially planned to buy six helicopters, but opted for four in the course of the negotiations. It will be able to acquire two more helicopters in the future. 

"This week, Lithuania plans to sign a contract on the acquisition of a new helicopter platform from the United States government," the ministry said. 

"Under the contract, the Lithuanian Armed Forces will purchase four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with additional equipment, spare parts, and a training, repair and logistics package," it said. 

The new platform will replace the Lithuanian Armed Forces' ageing Soviet-made Mi-8T helicopters. 

The Defense Ministry gave no details as to where and when exactly the contract will be signed. The talks on the Black Hawks took place at a high political level. 

The ministry's press release came after US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he had fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper.