The Philippine Air Force continues to expand its fleet of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters with the reception of a new batch of five units. The aircraft, manufactured by PZL Mielec, are part of a contract for 32 helicopters aimed at modernizing the service’s air mobility capabilities.
The reception ceremony for the new S-70i Black Hawks took place at the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, Colonel Jesús Villamor Air Base, Pasay City. The Philippine Air Force reported that the event was presided over by the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, Amenah F. Pangandaman, and attended by Lieutenant General Arthur M. Cordura, Commanding General of the Air Force, and Undersecretary Salvador Melchor B. Mison Jr. of the Department of National Defense’s Acquisitions and Resource Management.
With the arrival of these five units, the Philippine Air Force now operates a fleet of 20 S-70i Black Hawks. As noted, the service expects to incorporate a total of 32 helicopters produced by the aerospace company PZL Mielec in Poland, a purchase made as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization and re-equipment program.
It is worth recalling that the agreement between the Department of National Defense and PZL Mielec was signed in 2022. The Polish company delivered 10 units in June and December 2024 (five aircraft in each batch), while deliveries for the current year were completed in July and October.
For this latest batch, each aircraft underwent a Technical Inspection and Acceptance process, carried out jointly by the Department of National Defense (DND), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to ensure compliance with operational standards. “The aircraft will be operated and maintained by the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing under the Air Mobility Command,” the Air Force stated in its release.
The expansion of its S-70i Black Hawk fleet enables the Philippine Air Force to enhance its capabilities for troop and cargo transport, as well as tactical support missions. It is expected that the helicopters will also be used in humanitarian assistance tasks and as key assets in the Armed Forces’ response to natural disasters.
“The Philippine Air Force continues to strengthen its air mobility capability and fulfill its mandate to protect the nation and serve the Filipino people, both in times of humanitarian crises and conflict,” the official statement concluded.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: Philippine Air Force
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