Latvia has been cleared by the U.S. State Department to buy four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, in a move to bolster the NATO nation’s ability to move forces around the alliance’s eastern flank.

The US State Department has decided approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Latvia of four UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $200 million.  The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Latvia has requested to buy four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in standard U.S. Government (USG) configuration with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), ten T700-GE-701D engines (eight installed and two spares), ten Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems (eight installed and two spares).  Also included is one Aviation Mission Planning System, five Talon Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) 20 AN/AVS-6 Helmet Mounted Night Vision Devices.  The estimated total case value is $200 million.