Philippines selects Sikorsky - PZL Mielec to supply 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters
One of the PAF's S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopter. Photo c/o PTV News. |
The Philippines’ Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on 16 January 2022 that the country’s Department of National Defense (DND) released a Notice of Award (NOA) for the acquisition of 32 new combat utility helicopters.
The NOA was released on 29 December 2021 and issued to Sikorsky Helicopters’ Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec, with the deal expected to be worth PHP32 billion (US$627 million) and will involve the supply and delivery of 32 new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, as well as Initial Logistics Support Package and training for pilots and maintenance crew.
According to Secretary Lorenzana, a contract is already being prepared and the DND, after which a Notice to Proceed will be issued to officially commence the contract agreements between the 2 parties.
The helicopters will be delivered to the PAF in 4 batches, with PZL Mielec delivering 5 helicopters by 2023, 10 units by 2024, another 10 units by 2025, and a final batch of 7 helicopters by 2026.
PZL Mielec previously supplied 16 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), which were all delivered as of December 2021 and are assigned with the PAF’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing.
The PAF has started transitioning to replace its ageing fleet of UH-1 Huey combat utility helicopters, with the PAF formally retiring 10 German-made UH-1D helicopters last December 2021.
It has also withdrew its UH-1H helicopters from service, although some units were returned to service as of late December 2021 to assist in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, as well as COVID-related logistics support and other non-combat roles.
[1] Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
[2] PTV News
[3] Philippine Defense Resource
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