The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has formally taken delivery of five additional S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, along with eight M134-H Gatling heavy machine guns, further strengthening its rotary-wing fleet and armed utility capability. The acceptance ceremony was held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, marking the fifth delivery batch under the 32-aircraft procurement contract signed with PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, in 2022.
With the latest acceptance, the PAF has now received 25 of the 32 S-70i Black Hawks on order. Previous deliveries were completed in June and December 2024, followed by August and November 2025, with the most recent tranche of five helicopters delivered in December 2025 and officially accepted in January 2026. The remaining seven aircraft are expected to arrive in the coming months, completing the contract.
Once all aircraft are delivered, the new helicopters will operate alongside the PAF’s existing fleet of 15 S-70i Black Hawks, bringing the total inventory to 47 helicopters. The S-70i is a multi-role utility platform capable of supporting troop transport, logistics lift, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and armed operations, making it a critical asset for operations across the Philippine archipelago.
Each S-70i Black Hawk can accommodate a four-person crew and transport up to 12 fully equipped troops. The helicopter features a maximum gross takeoff weight of 22,000 pounds, a cruise speed of 160 knots, and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. Long-term sustainment is supported through Lockheed Martin’s Manila office in partnership with Asian Aerospace, ensuring continued operational availability as the fleet expands.
