The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has received five additional S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, part of an ongoing acquisition aimed at expanding air mobility, disaster response, and security operations.
The helicopters, manufactured by Poland-based PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin, were formally turned over in a ceremony at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, on August 13. PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura led the acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony, according to PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo.
Arriving in the country on July 15, the helicopters are included in a 32-unit procurement under a PHP32-billion ($570 million) contract signed in February 2022 through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. Each delivery undergoes a Technical Inspection and Acceptance process conducted by the Department of National Defense, AFP, and PAF to ensure compliance with operational requirements.
The first batch of five helicopters under the contract was delivered in June 2024, followed by another five in December of the same year. Fifteen more are expected to arrive this year, with the remaining seven scheduled for 2026. The new aircraft will be operated and maintained by the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing under the Air Mobility Command.
The latest delivery brings the number of Black Hawks in PAF service to 30. Between 2019 and 2021, the air force acquired 16 units under an earlier PHP11.5-billion deal, though one was lost in a crash in Tarlac in June 2021. The S-70i Black Hawks are intended to gradually replace the PAF’s aging UH-1 Huey helicopters.
Photos: Daniel Ceng (AA)