Patria Helicopters AB has received an order for Hkp16 (UH-60M Black Hawk) maintenance taking place in Linköping, Sweden as the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration FMV was realising their option, the Finnish company said today.

A Swedish Hkp 16 tactical transport helicopter
(Credit: Helikopterflottiljen/Swedish Ministry of Defense)

Patria and the FMV signed an agreement in 2014 on the support of the Swedish Armed Forces Hkp16 Black Hawk helicopters’ maintenance in Linköping. The agreement covered the period 2015-2017 with an option for extension through 2020. Estimated value of the agreement, including options, was approximately 25 MEUR.

“This follow-on order is an important milestone for Patria not only in Sweden, but also wider as it shows Patria's capability in supporting military programs with cost effective solutions in long-term and is a sign of trust from the customer,” says Jukka Holkeri, President of International Support Partnerships business unit at Patria.

The Swedish Air Force currently flies a total of 15 Hkp16/UH-60M tactical transport helicopters, all being operated by the 2nd Helicopter Squadron, based in Linköping. 

Sweden launched a procurement for 15 new UH-60M Black Hawks via the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program in 2010. The deal was clinched in May 2011 and the first two UH-60M helicopters were delivered at Malmen air base, Linköping, in December 2011.