These helicopters will also support Lithuania’s integration into NATO’s collective defense system, ensuring interoperability with allied forces.

The total operation for six UH-60M helicopters was valued at approximately US$380 million, but the current purchase of four helicopters results in a lower final cost, with options for acquiring additional units.

Initially, Lithuania planned to receive all four helicopters by late 2024, but delivery was delayed, with the remaining two expected in 2026, depending on unforeseen circumstances.

Lithuania has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining sanctions against Russia and Belarus until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored and war damages are compensated.

Lithuania has officially received its first two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the United States, marking a significant step in modernizing its military capabilities amid regional tensions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The helicopters, ordered in 2020, are stored and maintained in a dedicated hangar at Šiauliai Air Base, which was constructed last year for this purpose.

This acquisition is part of a broader 2020 contract between Lithuania and the U.S. Pentagon, which includes four helicopters, equipment, spare parts, and comprehensive training and maintenance services.

This move is part of Lithuania’s broader effort to replace Soviet-era aircraft, including Mil Mi-8 helicopters, with modern Western platforms such as the Black Hawks, C-27J Spartan, and Embraer C-390 Millennium.

In addition to military upgrades, Lithuania has extended the temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees by one year, until March 4, 2027, to support those displaced by the ongoing war.

Lithuania paid €181 million for the helicopters, supplemented by €25 million in U.S. military aid, and there is approval to potentially purchase two more.

The Black Hawks, which feature the Lithuanian flag and the Cross of Vytis, symbolize the country’s strategic shift towards NATO-compatible Western military equipment to bolster national security.

The Black Hawks will enhance Lithuania's tactical mobility, support battlefield units, and enable rapid responses to threats and emergencies.