Mexico Prepping to Buy More Black Hawks: Settling in for a Lengthy Fight in Drug War? Sarah Kinosian - The Christian Science Monitor
go to original April 30, 2014

The Mexican military has used US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for years to fight drug traffickers – and now it’s prepared to spend over half a billion to more than double its fleet.  

On April 17, the US State Department cleared the way for Mexico to purchase 18 Black Hawk helicopters for $680 million. US Congress now has until May 17 to act if it disagrees with the proposed deal.  

The price tag also includes radios, night-vision goggles, training and support services, and dozens of 7.62mm machine guns, to be attached to the sides of the choppers to provide air support for ground attacks.

Mexico has been battling a war against drug trafficking and related violence within its borders for nearly a decade. The move to procure such sophisticated technology like the Black Hawks has some analysts wondering if it's a signal of Mexico’s plans to move toward a more long-term, militarized approach to fighting cartels.

Read the rest at The Christian Science Monitor

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!