As part of the plans for modernization and expansion of rotary-wing capabilities, the Argentine Army has initiated a tender for the purchase of used Sikorsky S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in airworthy condition. This initiative seeks to meet an essential need for troop transport and deployment, as well as for aerial support missions that have been delayed for decades.
With process number 84/7-0942-LPU24, published today on the COMPR.AR website, the Army Aviation Directorate has begun a procurement process aimed at acquiring three Black Hawk helicopters. According to the details in the tender, which was authorized this September, the Army Aviation Directorate intends to incorporate a batch of three (3) aircraft. The tender will open on January 13 of next year to review the proposals.
The tender specifies that bidders must be registered as providers of commercial services through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program in order to acquire three used Black Hawk helicopters, along with spare parts packages to ensure continuous use for 960 flight hours, as well as initial flight training courses for pilots, co-pilots, and crew. However, it does not specify which versions of the American-origin aircraft will be considered but clarifies that the awarded supplier must provide support services for the next 36 months.
Through the terms and conditions, the Army also detailed the intended uses for the helicopters to be incorporated, namely: air assault, external cargo transport, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and civil protection, translating into the equipment with which they are expected to be equipped. It is also listed that the S-70 or UH-60 should be fitted with rappel and fast rope systems, cargo hooks, machine gun mounts, and internal and external auxiliary tanks.
Among other additional details, which may be subject to change, the future registrations that the aircraft would bear in the event of a successful tender process are also highlighted, namely: AE-531, AE-532, and AE-533. The provision of training courses for support crews is also mentioned, included within the “General Familiarization Course of the Aircraft and Maintenance,” “On-Board Mechanics or Crew Chief Course,” among other additional items present in the current tender.
*Information in development.
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