The service announced on November 9 that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) had received five other Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopters. The day before, the new helicopter was transported to Clark Air Force Base by an Antonov An-124 heavy airlift.
Manila ordered 16 new multi-purpose Black Hawk S-70i helicopters, valued at approximately US$240 million, manufactured in Poland by Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky’s subsidiary PZL Mielec to meet the requirements of the Pakistan Armed Forces under the revised “Horizon 2” PAF combat utility helicopter (CUH) requirements. Philippine Modernization Program (RAFPMP).
Following the first delivery of six helicopters in December 2020, the second batch of five helicopters arrived at Clark Air Force Base on June 7.
Several S-70i helicopters have been designated to perform close air support, troop insertion and evacuation, search and rescue, tactical airlift and logistics tasks with the Pakistan Air Force’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing. However, on June 23, the second batch of newly delivered helicopters operated by the unit crashed during a night training flight a few kilometers from the Air Force Base of Colonel Ernesto Rabina in Tarakkapas.
Four S-70s have been assigned to the East Mindanao Command of Agence France-Presse to improve its ability to carry out combat and humanitarian assistance operations. Two helicopters have been deployed at Davao Air Force Base and Lumbia Airport to support ongoing operations. Action against the communist rebellion. New People’s Army.
In February, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines approved the purchase of at least 15 Black Hawks for PAF in order to retire the aircraft after a series of fatal accidents (including one on January 16). Seven people died in the aging Bell UH-1 Huey utility helicopter.
It has not yet announced which Black Hawk model will be purchased for PAF, but Manila is expected to seek follow-up orders for more S-70i models.
Xiao Wu
