An S-701i Black Hawk helicopter at an undisclosed location in the Philippines. Photo from the Philippine Air Force.
Joe Reyes | August 25, 2026
MANILA — Poland was due to deliver seven S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippines, completing a 32 billion peso-contract for 32 aircraft under its military modernization program.
Ten of the Black Hawks were delivered by PZL Mielec in 2024, followed by 10 last year. In January this year, the firm again delivered five units.
Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura, Air Force commanding general, will accept the seven helicopters from PZL Mielec during rites at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
A spokeswoman, Colonel Ma Christina Basco said the completion of the delivery of the 32 Black Hawks is a “significant milestone” in the PAF’s rotary wing capability.
“The additional aircraft will further strengthen the PAF’s capacity to conduct a wide range of missions, including troop and personal transport, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and other critical air operations,” said Basco.
Basco said this also underscores the Air Force’s “continuing efforts to modernize its fleet and enhance mission readiness.” (Also read: Teodoro pushes for technology-driven exercises)
She said a larger fleet of Black Hawk helicopters means the PAF is in a better position to provide “responsive air support in both national defense operations and in times of crisis, particularly when communities need immediate assistance.”
“The completion of the S-70I Black Hawk acquisition reinforces the PAF’s commitment to building a credible, agile, and mission-ready air force capable of protecting the nation and serving the Filipino people whenever and wherever needed,” Basco.
The PAF has previously acquired 16 Black Hawks from PZL Mielec for P11.5 billion, also under the military’s modernization program. (Also read: Coalition forces on US choppers seize targets during drills)
One of the helicopters crashed in 2021 during a night-flying exercise in Capaz, Tarlac, leaving three pilots and three other personnel dead.