Latvia Begins Construction on New Hangar for Black Hawk Helicopters
Lielvārde, Latvia – Construction began on February 6th on a new helicopter hangar at the Lielvārde airbase, intended to house Latvia’s incoming fleet of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds attended a ceremony marking the start of the project, which includes both the hangar and an adjacent airfield.
“The construction of a new technical hangar and a field is an important step in strengthening the capabilities of our Air Force,” Sprūds said. “After the construction is completed, the hangar will primarily serve as a home for our UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and their personnel. The airfield will also be adapted for the maintenance and repairs of existing and future aircraft.”
The ceremony included the burial of a time capsule and a blessing by a military padre, according to images released by the Defence Ministry.
The project is directly linked to Latvia’s acquisition of four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the United States. The need for dedicated infrastructure to support the operation of these helicopters prompted the decision to build the new technical hangar and landing field. The total cost of the project is estimated at 13 million euros.
The heated hangar will provide space not only for the helicopters themselves, but also for repair shops, warehouses, and necessary equipment. Workspaces will be included for both flight crews and technical and engineering personnel, as well as facilities to support visiting units.
A construction contract for the project was signed in June 2025 with the Latvian building company SIA “Mapi būve.” The hangar is currently scheduled to be operational by February 2027.
The development of the hangar’s technical specifications involved consultation with allies already operating the Black Hawk helicopters, as well as adherence to European and NATO standards for aircraft maintenance and repair organizations. This ensures the facility will meet internationally recognized benchmarks for safety and efficiency.
The medium-class helicopter replacement project aims to modernize Latvia’s air capabilities, providing a significant upgrade to its existing fleet. The new hangar represents a key component of this modernization effort, ensuring Latvia has the infrastructure necessary to effectively operate and maintain its Black Hawk helicopters for years to come.
