The Portuguese Army is set to bolster its operational capabilities through the acquisition of three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, as part of the Support, Protection and Evacuation Helicopters (HAPE) project.
The formal agreement ceremony took place in Miami, US, marking the contract between the Nato Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and SAHAR Group, which will supply the helicopters.
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In a LinkedIn post, the Portuguese Army said the contract enhances a “long-planned” strategic capability and increases its readiness, operational independence, and ability to respond in service to Portugal.
The new helicopter fleet will support ground forces in areas such as reconnaissance, tactical transport, medical evacuation (medevac), logistics, force protection, and emergency response operations.
Details regarding the delivery schedule for the helicopters have not been disclosed. The Portuguese Army stated that the helicopters will be stationed in Tancos, Portugal.
SAHAR Group, in a statement posted on Linkedin, said: “We are honoured to contribute to a programme that reinforces the enduring partnership between industry, Nato, and allied defence organisations.
“The UH-60 HAPE Program represents an important step in enhancing the operational capabilities of the Portuguese Army.”
According to retired Portuguese Air Force Colonel Paulo Gonçalves, the programme first appeared in the 2023 Military Programming Law.
However, the necessary funding was not approved until 2024. The tender, managed by NSPA, was launched in 2025 and has now resulted in a contract for the supply of the helicopters.
The UH-60 Black Hawk, produced by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, is a medium-lift utility helicopter. It features twin engines, a reconfigurable cabin, and the ability to carry up to 9,000lbs of cargo.
The aircraft is designed to carry out a variety of operations, from troop transport and supply delivery to search and rescue in challenging environments.
