The Portuguese Army has reached an agreement with Miami-based Sahar Group to procure surplus UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters from the US Army inventory.
Finalized through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, the deal covers the refurbishment and modernization of three helicopters in the initial phase, with deliveries planned from late 2026 through mid-2028, according to Helis.com. The agreement also provides an option to acquire two additional aircraft under Portugal’s Support, Protection and Evacuation Helicopters program.
The procurement is expected to help reestablish the Portuguese Army’s aviation capability, which has remained inactive since the dissolution of the Army Light Aviation Group in 2015 following budget constraints and procurement delays.
Sahar Group will be responsible for restoring the helicopters and integrating mission equipment before handing them over. Once upgraded, the Sikorsky Black Hawks will be capable of performing tactical transport, casualty evacuation, special operations support, search and rescue, emergency response, and wildfire firefighting missions.
Originally developed as an upgraded replacement for the UH-60A, the UH-60L entered production in 1989. The helicopter is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines, each producing 1,880 shaft horsepower, providing enhanced lift performance and infrared exhaust suppression. It can transport up to 11 fully equipped soldiers while carrying external loads of up to 9,000 pounds (4,082 kilograms). The aircraft cruises at 140 knots (161 mph/260 km/h), reaches a top speed of 193 knots (222 mph/357 km/h), and has a combat range of 315 nautical miles (362 miles/583 kilometers) using internal fuel.
