Philippines Adds Five S-70i Black Hawks to Air Fleet
The Philippine Air Force has received five additional S-70i Black Hawk helicopters at Clark Air Base, continuing its phased acquisition under a 32-aircraft order signed with PZL Mielec in 2022.
The helicopters will bolster the service’s multi-mission capabilities, including disaster response, humanitarian aid, troop movement, and cargo transport. This handover follows earlier deliveries of five aircraft in June 2024 and another five in December 2024.
The Black Hawk, with a 12.58-foot cabin, accommodates a four-member crew and 12 soldiers. It has a 22,000-pound maximum take-off weight, a top cruise speed of 160 knots, and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet.
Recently, PAF Black Hawks supported joint naval training in April and joined Cope Thunder 25-2 exercises in July, which featured the first-ever deployment of US Air Force F-35s to the Philippines.
