Chile has finalized a contract to procure six S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from Lockheed Martin‘s Sikorsky subsidiary to aid in troop transport, search-and-rescue and disaster relief missions.
Sikorsky said Wednesday it aims to complete delivery of the Black Hawks to Chile’s air force in 2018 as part of the service branch’s medium-lift helicopter recapitalization program.
The direct commercial sale transaction also includes a logistical support package that covers spare parts, pilots and maintenance specialists training, on-site technical assistance and ground support equipment.
Adam Schierholz, Sikorsky’s regional executive for Latin America, said the Chilean air force chose the S-70i after it conducted an intensive review of multiple helicopter offerings.
The service branch currently has one S-70A Black Hawk aircraft.