Sikorsky has selected Czech aviation company ČLS as its first authorised Black Hawk parts distribution centre in the European Union, supporting more than 150 helicopters already in service across the bloc.
Sikorsky has appointed Česká letecká servisní, known as ČLS, as its first authorised distribution centre for Black Hawk helicopter parts in the European Union, according to the company.
The agreement is intended to improve access to replacement components for the more than 150 Black Hawk helicopters currently operating across EU countries. ČLS will be able to stock Sikorsky-recommended parts at its warehouse, allowing frequently required components to be held closer to European operators rather than sourced through longer international supply chains.
The new arrangement will support several variants of the Black Hawk family, including the S-70, UH-60M and UH-60A/L. According to Lockheed Martin, the growing number of aircraft in European service has increased the importance of faster access to spares and sustainment support.
Rich Benton, vice president and general manager of Sikorsky, said, as quoted in a news update: “As the Hawk helicopter fleet grows in Europe, we are committed to supporting operator readiness for emergency response, security operations and more.”
He added: “By working alongside ČLS, we are strengthening our service footprint in the European Union and ensuring timely parts delivery for Black Hawk helicopters.”
ČLS has experience providing avionics, special mission equipment, modernisation and maintenance services for both rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. Sikorsky said the Czech company completed a detailed assessment process before being authorised to distribute components, including reviews of its quality, process and policy standards.
ČLS chief executive Monika Kowalczykova said, as quoted in the same news update: “Being appointed an authorized Sikorsky distribution center for the European Union countries marks a significant milestone for ČLS and proves our expertise in modernizations and after-sales support of helicopter platforms.”
The appointment also ties into a wider Black Hawk industrial presence in Central Europe. The S-70 variant is manufactured by PZL Mielec in Poland, another Lockheed Martin company, while regional suppliers already contribute to production and support activities.
Sikorsky said ČLS will also work with the company, PZL Mielec and United Rotorcraft towards the planned introduction of the S-70 FIREHAWK programme in the Czech Republic. Production activity connected with Europe’s first FIREHAWK helicopters began in Poland earlier in 2026, with the aircraft intended for aerial firefighting and emergency response missions.
The FIREHAWK is a modified S-70 designed for civil protection roles, combining the Black Hawk airframe with firefighting equipment and other mission systems. The Czech programme therefore sits alongside the military and security fleet already operating in Europe, broadening the regional sustainment requirement beyond defence users alone.
Sikorsky describes the new Czech facility as part of a regional sustainment strategy that already includes authorised distribution centres in South America, the Middle East and Asia. The ČLS agreement is the first such arrangement inside the European Union.
