The US State Department has approved a potential $1.075-billion sale of 11 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Mexico. The proposed package includes 27 T700-GE-701D engines, 27 embedded GPS and inertial navigation systems, and satellite communications radios. It also covers machine guns, night vision goggles, electro-optical and infrared sensors, ballistic armor, rescue hoists, and auxiliary fuel tanks. The UH-60M is designed to support a range of missions, including assault, search and rescue, and medical evacuation. Its digital avionics and upgraded engines provide greater range and lifting capacity than earlier Black Hawk variants, while the aircraft can carry 11 fully equipped troops or transport cargo using an external load system. The proposed sale would also involve 15 additional US government or contractor representatives traveling to Mexico to support equipment delivery, system checks, training, and technical and logistical requirements. The potential acquisition follows a broader history of US military support for Mexico, including an earlier Black Hawk package. In September, the Mexican Air Force announced the acquisition of its second C-130J-30 Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin, approximately eight months after receiving its first aircraft. The tactical airlifter is intended to support cargo transport, emergency relief, and personnel deployment. In August, Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense secured access to the US Army’s digital marketplace to procure unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technology, with the agreement intended to strengthen operations against organized crime. The two countries have also expanded security cooperation beyond equipment sales. In September 2025, they announced a new high-level implementation group to coordinate efforts against transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and border security threats.
