Malta first to buy new US military helicopter
The Maltese army will be the first outside the USA to get the UH-72A, a new military helicopter model which the American army and navy have only just started using. The US government will buy over 345 UH-72A helicopters, known as the ‘Lakota’, to replace older helicopters currently in use. Each costs over €6 million. A spokesperson for the army told maltastar.com that it will cost the Maltese government half of this, as the US government will be paying the other €3 million. Interestingly, Malta will be the first international client of the US-manufacturing company producing the UH-72A, as no other has yet been sold outside the USA. There is yet no definite date when the Lakota will arrive in Malta, but once it arrives, “it will be used for offshore operations in general and more specifically for those related to maritime safety and security,” said Major Ivan M. Consiglio, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM)’s spokesperson. The most important advantage of this helicopter over other models is the use of twin engines, which give it enough speed, range, and power for offshore operations in the widespread Maltese territorial waters. It has a nine passenger seating capacity, and can carry up to two stretchers when used for medical evacuations
The Maltese army will be the first outside the USA to get the UH-72A, a new military helicopter model which the American army and navy have only just started using. The US government will buy over 345 UH-72A helicopters, known as the ‘Lakota’, to replace older helicopters currently in use. Each costs over €6 million. A spokesperson for the army told maltastar.com that it will cost the Maltese government half of this, as the US government will be paying the other €3 million. Interestingly, Malta will be the first international client of the US-manufacturing company producing the UH-72A, as no other has yet been sold outside the USA. There is yet no definite date when the Lakota will arrive in Malta, but once it arrives, “it will be used for offshore operations in general and more specifically for those related to maritime safety and security,” said Major Ivan M. Consiglio, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM)’s spokesperson. The most important advantage of this helicopter over other models is the use of twin engines, which give it enough speed, range, and power for offshore operations in the widespread Maltese territorial waters. It has a nine passenger seating capacity, and can carry up to two stretchers when used for medical evacuations