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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PAF edges closer to full helicopter buildup with addition of 5 Black Hawks

PAF edges closer to full helicopter buildup with addition of 5 Black Hawks

Published Jan 24, 2026 03:30 pm
(L-R) Acting Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando U. Toledo and Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura pour champagne on one of the five newly acquired S70-i Black Hawk helicopters as a traditional aviation blessing and acceptance ritual during a ceremony at the Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on January 23, 2026. (Photo: PAF)
(L-R) Acting Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando U. Toledo and Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura pour champagne on one of the five newly acquired S70-i Black Hawk helicopters as a traditional aviation blessing and acceptance ritual during a ceremony at the Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on January 23, 2026. (Photo: PAF)
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) took another step toward completing its planned Black Hawk fleet buildup with the acceptance of five new S-70i utility helicopters on Friday, Jan. 23.
Col. Ma. Christina Basco, PAF spokesperson, said the helicopters were formally accepted during a joint acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony at the Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Eight units of M134D-H Gatling guns were also turned over as part of the delivery.
“This delivery marks the fifth batch, bringing the total 25 units out of the 32 units programmed under the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization initiatives,” Basco confirmed.
The Black Hawks were delivered to PAF in December 2025 and underwent technical inspection before being accepted into the fleet.
The ceremony was graced by Acting Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando U. Toledo, who served as guest of honor, and PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura.
The helicopters and their armament documents were formally received by Brigadier General Moises L. Micor, commander of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, the unit that operates the PAF’s Black Hawk fleet.
In his message, Toledo underscored the urgency of the modernization of the Air Force amid the changing security landscape in the region.
“A modern, capable, and mission-ready Air Force is no longer optional, it is essential,” he said.
He added that the government remains committed to ensuring the PAF can meet both security and humanitarian demands.
Meanwhile, Cordura said the new assets will support joint and combined operations across the country. He added that the aircraft are expected to boost air mobility, operational readiness, and disaster response capability of the PAF.
The Philippines contracted to acquire 32 S‑70i Black Hawk utility helicopters through a P32‑billion deal signed on February 22, 2022 between the DND and PZL Mielec, a Polish subsidiary of American aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
The first four batches of five choppers each were made on June 10, 2024; Dec. 9, 2024; July 15, 2025; and Oct. 20, 2025.
The remaining seven helicopters are expected to be delivered later this year under the same contract, completing the full 32‑unit order.

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