Source : Reuters
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2026 — The United States has approved a potential sale of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Mexico worth an estimated US$1.08 billion, the State Department said on Friday, Reuters reported.
The principal contractor for the sale is Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, the State Department said. Aviation outlet Air Data News, citing the State Department notice, reported that the package covers 11 Sikorsky UH-60M helicopters valued at about US$1.075 billion, together with engines, weapons, mission equipment and logistical support.
According to that report, Mexico requested 27 General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, including five spares, as well as 27 integrated navigation systems and 27 military communication radios. The package also includes training, replacement parts and technical assistance.
The helicopters would carry MX-10D electro-optical and infrared sensor systems with laser designation, ballistic protection, M134 machine guns and night-vision equipment, Air Data News said. Additional systems listed include rescue hoists, auxiliary fuel tanks and equipment for inserting personnel by rope.
The US government said the acquisition would help Mexico modernise its rotary-wing fleet, reduce the number of helicopter types in service and improve airlift support for military personnel involved in counter-narcotics operations, according to the report. The programme would also require 15 US government or contractor representatives to spend an extended period in Mexico to support the introduction of the aircraft, training and maintenance.
The approval is a potential Foreign Military Sale and does not mean a contract has been signed. Final values and quantities may change during negotiations, and the notice did not identify which Mexican military or security body would receive the additional aircraft.
Mexico has operated Black Hawk helicopters for decades, and its armed forces play a central role in the country’s fight against drug cartels. Security co-operation with Washington has been a recurring focus of relations between the two neighbours, alongside trade and migration.
Foreign Military Sales notifications are sent to the US Congress, which can review proposed arms transfers before they proceed.
Source: Reuters on X, with background from the US State Department notice as reported by Air Data News, News.az and MarketScreener.
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