Thirty-two brand new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters will be added to the fleet of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in the next four years after the Department of National Defense (DND) approved of its procurement for P32 billion, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced Sunday, Jan. 16.
The Defense Chief said that the Notice of Award was issued to Poland’s PZL Mielec last Dec. 28, 2021.
The acquisition project will include an Initial Logistics Support (ILS) Package and training for the pilots and maintenance crew.
“The lack of transport planes and helicopters have never been more acute during the pandemic and in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette. This was exacerbated by our aging Hueys that have become uneconomical to maintain,” Lorenzana said.
“Upon the instruction of the President, we are procuring additional 32 brand new S-70i Blackhawk helicopters,” he added.
The first batch of five units of Black Hawks will be delivered in 2023. Meanwhile, 10 units will arrive in 2024; another 10 units in 2025; and the last seven units in 2026.
"The Contract Agreement is now being drafted, after which I will issue a Notice to Proceed to officially commence the project," Lorwnzana noted.
The government’s need for more aircraft was highlighted amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic where military assets were used to transport medical supplies, equipment, and personnel around the country as commercial flights were at times restricted or limited.
Military air assets were also crucial in the transportation of relief goods and personnel in areas that were recently devastated by typhoon Odette last month.
Most of the heavy lifting in these operations were done by the existing Black Hawk squadron of the PAF which replaced the ageing Huey choppers acquired in the 1970s.
Less than two months ago, the PAF actually completed the acquisition of 16 new Black Hawk helicopters worth around P11.5 billion also from PZL Mielec.
The first batch of six units were delivered from Nov. 9 to Dec. 2, 2020 but one of them was involved in a fatal crash in Capas, Tarlac on June 24, 2021 which killed six airmen. The second batch of five units arrived on June 24, 2021 while the third batch of five units came on Nov. 8, 2021.