Illustrative image. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Cesar Rivas)
The United States has approved a possible $140 million military sale to Argentina centered on four refurbished Black Hawk helicopters, giving Buenos Aires a new medium-lift capability as President Javier Milei pushes to rebuild the country’s armed forces amid tensions with the United Kingdom.
The State Department notified Congress on September 10 that Argentina had requested four UH-60L Black Hawks, two T700-GE-701D engines, communications and navigation equipment, rescue systems, spare parts, training and logistical support.
The $140 million estimate covers the entire package. Even so, the figure is exceptionally high for four used or refurbished helicopters, amounting to about $35 million per aircraft.
The purchase is reportedly a part of Argentina’s broader effort to replace aging military equipment and improve operational readiness.
The announcement also comes at a politically sensitive moment for Argentina and the UK, with shifting U.S. support over the issue of the Falkland Islands.
President Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast September 3 that he was not prepared to say the U.S. would automatically support Britain in another war over the islands, which Argentina claims as the Malvinas. He questioned whether Britain still had the capacity to retake the islands as it did during the 1982 war, and tied his remarks to the recent conflict with Iran.
“Your country was not there to help me,” he told a British interviewer, referring to Britain’s decision not to provide the military assistance he said he had requested.
The comments were notable because Washington has historically maintained neutrality on the competing Argentine and British sovereignty claims, despite supporting Britain during the 1982 conflict.
Milei seized on Trump’s comments quickly. In a televised address on September 4, he said “winds of change” favorable to Argentina’s claim were “blowing around the world.” He cited Trump’s suggestion that Washington was reviewing its historic position on the islands as evidence of a possible shift in the international environment.
The Argentinian president also announced tougher measures against companies involved in oil exploration around the Falklands and pledged to strengthen Argentina’s military presence, including plans for an expanded naval facility in Tierra del Fuego.
Britain has continued to reject Argentina’s claim and maintains that the islands are British territory. London also argues that the wishes of the islanders must determine their political status.
There is no indication that the helicopters are being acquired for operations related to the Falklands. The U.S. notification describes the proposed sale as supporting Argentina’s defense, security and humanitarian capabilities.
The deal is nevertheless significant in the context of Argentina’s changing military relationships. It follows an earlier attempt by the Milei government to make Russian-built helicopters available to Ukraine.
Argentina has two Mi-171E transport helicopters, acquired from Russia in 2011 for Antarctic operations. In late 2023, Buenos Aires considered transferring the aircraft to Ukraine as the U.S. encouraged countries operating Russian equipment to provide it to Kyiv.
Reports in early 2024 claimed the helicopters had already been transferred, but Argentine officials disputed those reports. The transfer never took place. Both aircraft remained in Argentina and had been out of service because of maintenance and inspection problems.
The contrast is striking. Argentina could have easily brought its Russian helicopters back into service, yet it is now preparing to spend up to $140 million on used helicopters from the U.S.
For Milei’s government, the sale is likely meant to strengthen its military relationship with Washington. The sale’s announcement also comes as Trump’s comments have introduced fresh uncertainty into the traditionally close U.S.-British position on the Falklands dispute.
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