Romania has awarded PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, a contract to acquire an additional S-70M Black Hawk utility helicopter.
The Poland-based company’s latest agreement with the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs will increase the European country’s existing fleet of Black Hawk aircraft following the delivery of seven units in the last quarter of 2023.
Romania employs the aircraft to conduct maritime and land search and rescue and provide firefighting, transport and medical emergency support.
In a statement, Dennis Goege, vice president of Lockheed Martin in Central and Eastern Europe, said the Black Hawk advances Romania’s commitment to bolster European preparedness for disasters.
“These new-generation aircraft will be a long-standing asset for Romania, offering enhanced features and flight safety to its high-payload role, as demonstrated worldwide, but especially by firefighting forces in the United States,” he added.
Operated by more than 35 countries, the S-70 Black Hawk is designed to meet the Romanian government’s specific mission requirements, according to Lockheed.
The aircraft, which boasts over 5 million combat hours, can fly in difficult weather and environmental conditions, the aerospace company said.