The United States has authorized the sale of 11 Black Hawk helicopters to Mexico, a package worth $1 billion, according to Reforma. The newspaper reports that the deal is meant to reinforce the Mexican Army's capacity to combat drug trafficking.
Coverage of the approval was carried by several Mexican outlets, including El Financiero, El Universal and Aristegui Noticias, which reported that Washington had cleared the possible transaction. The reporting identifies the aircraft as UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
According to Reforma, the purpose of the purchase is to bolster the military's anti-narcotics operations. The reporting did not specify a delivery timetable or say when the aircraft would enter service.
The value of the package places it among the larger recent US-approved arms transactions with Mexico. Further details on the equipment included beyond the helicopters were not provided in the source material.
Watch for official confirmation from the US State Department or the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense, which would typically disclose the terms, contractors and delivery schedule of such a sale.
