Czech initiative raises funds for Black Hawk helicopter to aid Ukraine’s intel
Czech Republic wants to buy Black Hawk for Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (photo: flickr.com)
The Czech Republic is raising funds for a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk combat helicopter for the Ukrainian intelligence. Two-thirds of the required $3 million has already been raised, informs Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
A “war bird,” The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, is to be transferred to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Of course, one helicopter is not enough, but this transfer is necessary to equip the DIU (Defense Intelligence of Ukraine - ed.) with the necessary weapons to gain an advantage over the enemy in the air.
The intelligence officers note that “friends gave a new impetus to the charity campaign to strengthen the DIU and found a cheaper and better quality Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk in the United States.” The reconnaissance men already have several of these aircraft in service. They are successfully used in operations to destroy Russian invaders.
What is known about Black Hawk helicopters
The UH-60 Black Hawk is an American tactical multi-purpose helicopter designed to transport personnel and various military cargoes, as well as to evacuate the wounded and transport large cargoes. Its feature is a “glass” digital cockpit.
The helicopter was updated to the latest version in 2020. The new equipment is modular in design. This means that new systems can be added to the onboard equipment without additional modifications. In addition, some new features can be added by installing additional applications. Modernization of the helicopter will allow the military to abandon the separate training of pilots, who today have to learn to fly a helicopter separately.
In early 2024, Czech President Petr Pavel said that Prague had found hundreds of thousands of shells for Ukraine, but the project needed funding. Portugal, Finland, Germany, and Lithuania joined the initiative. Thanks to the Czech initiative, Ukraine received the first batch of 50,000 rounds of ammunition in late June.
In addition, the Czech Republic reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression: Prague will fulfill its promise to deliver 500,000 large-caliber ammunition to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the end of 2024.
