By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday formally received five brand new S-70i “Black Hawk” helicopters, further boosting its capability to do a variety of air missions, especially humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura led the acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony for the new helicopters at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
“The helicopters, which arrived in the Philippines on July 15, 2025, form part of the 32-unit acquisition under a direct contract with Poland’s PZL Mielec through the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a media statement.
The first batch of five helicopters arrived in the country on June 10 last year, followed by another five six months later or on Dec. 9.
The 32-unit acquisition is worth P32 billion.
Castillo said each delivery underwent a stringent Technical Inspection and Acceptance (TIA) process conducted by the Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and PAF to ensure compliance with operational standards and specifications.
The new helicopters will be operated and maintained by the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing under the Air Mobility Command.
S-70i “Black Hawk” helicopters are known for their versatility, speed, and reliability in a wide range of missions.
The DND previously purchased 16 units of “Black Hawk” helicopters from PZL Mielec, which were delivered from 2020 to 2021, for P11.5 billion.
“With this latest addition, the PAF further strengthens its capacity to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, troop and cargo transport, and other missions critical to national security and development,” Castillo said.
