(Manila, 30th) — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has announced that it will officially receive five brand-new S-70i “Black Hawk” helicopters on November 6, further boosting the nation’s aerial mobility and rescue capabilities.
The acceptance and blessing ceremony will be held at the Presidential Airlift Wing hangar of Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, with Budget Secretary Amena Pangandaman invited as the guest of honor.
Air Force spokesperson Colonel Basco pointed out that these five helicopters arrived in the Philippines on October 20, and underwent comprehensive inspection by the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) between October 22 and 28.
She stated that upon completion of the necessary procedures, these new aircraft will be officially registered in the Air Force’s equipment inventory and will become part of the active fleet.
It is reported that these five “Black Hawk” helicopters are the fourth batch from the contract for 32 S-70i units signed by the Philippines in 2022, with a total project value of 32 billion pesos. The procurement was made through a direct contract between the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (AFP Modernization Program) and Poland’s PZL Mielec company.
The first batch of five helicopters arrived in the Philippines on June 10, 2024, with the second batch delivered on December 9 of the same year. The third batch was delivered on July 15 this year and officially entered service on August 13.
The Department of National Defense had previously also purchased 16 units of the same model from PZL Mielec for 11.5 billion pesos, which were gradually delivered between 2020 and 2021.
The S-70i “Black Hawk” is renowned for its high reliability, speed, and versatility. It is widely used for tactical transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and disaster relief missions, making it one of the Philippine Air Force’s most iconic multi-mission helicopters.
Air Force spokesperson Colonel Basco pointed out that these five helicopters arrived in the Philippines on October 20, and underwent comprehensive inspection by the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) between October 22 and 28.
She stated that upon completion of the necessary procedures, these new aircraft will be officially registered in the Air Force’s equipment inventory and will become part of the active fleet.
It is reported that these five “Black Hawk” helicopters are the fourth batch from the contract for 32 S-70i units signed by the Philippines in 2022, with a total project value of 32 billion pesos. The procurement was made through a direct contract between the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (AFP Modernization Program) and Poland’s PZL Mielec company.
The first batch of five helicopters arrived in the Philippines on June 10, 2024, with the second batch delivered on December 9 of the same year. The third batch was delivered on July 15 this year and officially entered service on August 13.
The Department of National Defense had previously also purchased 16 units of the same model from PZL Mielec for 11.5 billion pesos, which were gradually delivered between 2020 and 2021.
The S-70i “Black Hawk” is renowned for its high reliability, speed, and versatility. It is widely used for tactical transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and disaster relief missions, making it one of the Philippine Air Force’s most iconic multi-mission helicopters.