Philippines plans to acquire second batch of 16 S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters

PAF S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters. Photo c/o Philippine Armed Forces Unofficial.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has expressed its desire to acquire another batch of 16 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters, in addition to the 16 units ordered back in 2019.

During the induction ceremonies of the first 6 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters delivered by Sikorsky to the PAF, the Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana mentioned that the PAF made a request for the acquisition of 16 more Black Hawks to replace its existing fleet of Vietnam War-era Bell UH-1D/H Huey helicopters.

According to Sec. Lorenzana, the PAF’s Commanding General Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes told him that it is practical to acquire additional Black Hawks instead of another model, to allow for commonality and ease in logistics and spares, training, and support.

Sec. Lorenzana also mentioned that the Philippine government has funds available for the acquisition of more helicopters, and the chances of this request to be approved is high.

The PAF selected the S-70i Black Hawk for its new combat utility helicopter requirements, after cancelling an earlier contract with Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) representing Bell Helicopters with its Bell 412EPI helicopters, after the Canadian officials questioned Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s human rights record, and potentially using Canadian-made helicopters for human rights violations.

Sec. Lorenzana mentioned that the cancelation of contract with as a blessing, as the Black Hawks were said to be more capable, larger, and cheaper than the Bell 412EPI.

The helicopters were built in Poland thorough Sikorsky's subsidiary PZL Mielec. 10 more helicopters from the first batch of 16 are scheduled for delivery in 2021.



[1] Philippine News Agency
[2] Inquirer.net