Philippines Receives Five New Black Hawk Helicopters

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has formally taken delivery of five new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters.

The aircraft, handed over in a ceremony on August 13 at the Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, were received by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura. PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the helicopters arrived in the Philippines on July 15 and are part of a PHP32 billion, 32-unit acquisition deal with Poland’s PZL Mielec under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.

The latest batch follows the arrival of five units in June 2024 and another five in December 2024. The helicopters underwent stringent Technical Inspection and Acceptance (TIA) procedures conducted by the Department of National Defense (DND), AFP, and PAF to ensure compliance with operational requirements.

The new S-70i Black Hawks will be operated by the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing under the Air Mobility Command. According to Castillo, they will be deployed for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, troop transport, cargo movement, and missions linked to national security.

The DND had previously acquired 16 Black Hawks from PZL Mielec between 2020 and 2021 under a PHP11.5 billion contract. This latest procurement expands the fleet’s operational reach and capacity.