The Philippine Air Force has officially received five new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters during a ceremony at Clark Air Base in Pampanga. These aircraft are the latest addition to the country’s modernization program under a 32-unit order placed in 2022 with Lockheed Martin’s Polish subsidiary, PZL Mielec.
The versatile helicopters will support a wide range of missions, from humanitarian relief and disaster response to troop transport and cargo operations. This delivery follows two earlier batches—five helicopters received in June 2024 and another five in December 2024, bringing the total delivered so far to 15 units.
Each Black Hawk is designed with a 12.58-foot (3.84-meter) cabin, accommodating a crew of four, including two pilots and two gunners or crew chiefs, along with up to 12 troops. Built for demanding missions, the helicopter has a maximum gross take-off weight of 22,000 pounds (9,979 kilograms), a cruise speed of 160 knots (296 kilometers per hour), and can reach altitudes up to 20,000 feet (6,097 meters).
Beyond deliveries, the Black Hawks have already been integrated into key operations and exercises. In April, they joined training activities with the Philippine Air Force’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing and the Philippine Navy. They also participated in the US-Philippines Cope Thunder 25-2 exercise in July, which marked the first deployment of a US Air Force F-35 squadron to Philippine territory.
