The U.S. Embassy in Vienna has officially announced the first of 12 newly built UH-60M Black Hawks has been delivered to the U.S. Army in West Palm Beach, Florida, where it will undergo militarization, mission-equipment installation, testing, and certification prior to delivery to Austria, a key milestone in Austria’s Armed Forces 2032+ modernization plan.

These new helicopters will enhance Austria’s disaster relief, SAR and international operations capabilities.

The 12 UH-60Ms will replace the Bundesheer Agusta-Bell 212 fleet currently operated by two Light Transport Squadrons based at Hörsching Air Base in Northern Austria, which are scheduled for retirement by 2030.