US Gives Military Helicopters to Croatia, Russia Arms Serbs

UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters carrying U.S. and Afghan trainees take off at Kandahar Airfield south of Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 19, 2018. Rahmat Gul/AP Photo

ZAGREB, Croatia—The United States on Thursday delivered two Black Hawk military helicopters to Croatia, which is engaged in a mini arms race with neighboring Russian ally Serbia amid simmering tensions in the post-war Balkan region.

The U.S. Embassy in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, said the donated UH-60M multi-purpose helicopters will contribute to Croatia’s growing defense capabilities and military preparedness in support of NATO.