MANILA, Philippines—Five Sikorsky-S70i Black Hawk helicopters have been delivered to the country on Monday (June 7).
An Antonov transport plane brought the helicopters to Clark Air Base in Pampanga from Poland, where they were built.
Poland’s PZL Mielec delivers 5 units of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters for the Philippine Air Force. An Antonov transport plane brought the choppers to Clark Air Base today. 📸PAF pic.twitter.com/7xZjSODCY4
— Frances Mangosing 🇵🇭 (@FMangosingINQ) June 7, 2021
The five were part of the 16 S-70i helicopters procured by the Philippine government for the Philippine Air Force for P12.1 billion. The first six were delivered in late 2020.
The latest delivery brings a total of 11 Black Hawk helicopters for the PAF. The remaining five will be delivered before the end of 2021.
“The recent arrival of the five Black Hawks will further boost the heli-lift capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and will help the government deliver more services in more areas in less time,” said PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano.
The Black Hawks had so far transported vaccines and medical supplies to the remote areas of Batanes, Bicol and other parts of the country, the PAF said.
The helicopters were built by PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of American aircraft manufacturing company Lockheed Martin.