Mexico seeks more UH-60 Black Hawks for counter-narcotics effort

WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- Mexico has requested five additional UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the United States for its counter-narcotics activities.

The proposed procurement of the Black Hawks, which has received approval from the U.S. State Department, was made public by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency in its required notification to Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sales program contract.

Specific requested are five UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters with designated unique equipment, 13 T700-GE-701D engines, a dozen embedded global positioning systems/inertial navigation systems, 10 M134 7.62mm machine guns, and Safire III forward-looking infrared radar Systems.

Communications equipment, air worthiness support, spare and repair parts and support equipment are also included in the package, which is worth an estimated $225 million.

"Mexico has been a strong partner in combating organized crime and drug trafficking organizations," the agency said. "The sale of these UH-60M helicopters to Mexico will significantly increase and strengthen its capability to provide in-country airlift support for its forces engaged in counter-drug operations."

In April, the agency reported that Mexico was seeking 18 Black Hawks -- plus support -- in a deal worth $680 million.