Croatia signs deal with US for Blackhawk helicopters
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Croatia will receive eight Blackhawk helicopters after signing a deal with the US on Wednesday, state media reported, as Balkan countries look to beef up their militaries since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Croatia has been a NATO member since 2009 and has also donated a portion of its arsenal to Ukraine, including Soviet-era helicopters.
"This is a great and important moment for the armed forces and for the whole of Croatia, and also a confirmation of the partnership and excellent cooperation with the United States," Defence Minister Ivan Anusic said, according to the state-backed Hina news agency.
The eight Blackhawks will be delivered in 2028, the media outlet reported.
In 2021, Croatia signed an order with France for 12 used Rafale fighter jets -- the largest arms order made by Zagreb since its war of independence in the 1990s.
The helicopter deal follows a similar agreement inked between Albania and Washington, with Tirana receiving two blackhawk helicopters in January.
Late last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with several Balkan leaders in the Albanian capital Tirana.
He pleaded for greater backing to help fend off Russian forces and also discussed potentially cooperating in joint-defence production.