UH-60M Black Hawk
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By early July 2006, Bahrain was one of 2 foreign countries requesting the latest model UH-60M helicopter: Bahrain (9 UH-60Ms etc., up to $252 million) and the UAE/Dubai (26 UH-60Ms etc., up to $808 million). There can be a long slip between the June 28/06 notification [PDF format] and the contract, however, as illustrated by the fact that it was June 19/07 before Sikorsky announced a deal to make Bahrain the UH-60M Black Hawk’s first international customer.

Bahrain will buy 9 UH-60M helicopters; according to Sikorsky’s June 2007 announcement, they will cost up to $204 million with included add-ons, spares, and support. The helicopters will be used in a variety of roles, including combat search and rescue.

April 29/08: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT receives a $30.4 million firm-fixed price contract for conversion of 9 UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters into “unique aircraft configuration for the Bahrain Defense Force,” and to provide training, technical publications, integrated logistics support, field service representative, warranty, and ferry flight technical shipping support. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05 by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-08-C-0003)

Dec 14/07: Bahrain’s 9 helicopters are ordered under a multinational $1.48 billion firm-fixed-price contract, taking advantage of the USA’s buying power by becoming part of the Multi-Year VII initial year contract award. The entire $1.48 billion order covers 106 Army and Navy helicopters for the USA, Bahrain and Thailand, as well as tooling, program systems management and production of technical publications. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, and is expected to be completed by Dec 31/12. There was 1 bid solicited on Oct 20/05, and 1 bid was received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).