The Filipino Air Force (PAF) officially received five new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters on 13 August during a ceremony in the Haribbon Hangar on Clark Air Base, in the city of Mabalacat, province of Pampanga.
The transfer took place in the presence of PAF commander Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura.
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According to Paf spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo arrived the devices in the country on July 15 and are part of a contract for the purchase of 32 units, worth PHP 32 billion, which has been signed with the Polish manufacturer PZL Mielec in the context of the modernization program of the armed forces of the Philippines (AFP).
This new delivery follows the transfer of five aircraft in June 2024 and another five in December 2024. Before they were added to the fleet, the helicopters underwent strict technical inspection and acceptance procedures (TIA), carried out by the Ministry of National Defense (DND), the AFP and the PAP, to guarantee that they comply with comply that they comply with comply that they comply.
The S-70i Black Hawks will be used by the 205th tactical helicopter framework, which falls under the air mobility command. According to Castillo, the devices will be used for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, troop transport, freight transport and operations with regard to national security.
Between 2020 and 2021, the DND already bought 16 Black Hawk helicopters from PZL Mielec in a contract worth PHP 11.5 billion. The new purchase considerably increases the operational range and capacity of the Filipino fleet.
Source and images: Philippine Air Force (PAF) | PNA. This content was made with the help of AI and controlled by the editors.
