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5 new Black Hawk helicopters join PH Air Force fleet

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Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpiopaf%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02ikuj4eCE5tCJWCAqXZ5GXYGxfZvKt6pMtHtQSLas2Kg5PW84SEAU27o3x71inThul&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="791" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) received five new units of the S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, a significant step in the military’s modernization.</p><p>PAF commanding general LtGen. Arthur Cordura led the formal turnover and blessing ceremony at the Haribon Hangar of the Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Wednesday.</p><p>“The turnover of our Black Hawks is a demonstration that we have a very vibrant logistics and performance system. We have a working transformation roadmap. We have men and women of the PAF who demonstrate resilience and disposition to recognize the gaps in our capabilities and proceed to the desired way ahead so we can fill the gaps in our operations,” Cordura said in his speech.</p><p>“With the nature of the missions we fly, I think the face of the PAF right now is the Black Hawk,” he added.</p><p>The new helicopters, which arrived in the country on July 15, are part of a 32-unit acquisition deal with Polish manufacturer PZL Mielec.</p><p>This is the third batch of deliveries, following the arrival of five helicopters in June 2024, and another five in December 2024.</p><p>“Ito ang third set ng lima pa. That makes it 15 na nag-arrive sa acquisition package na ito. We are expecting 17 more,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo told reporters in an interview after the ceremony. </p><p>“Expected yung ten last quarter of this year, and then ang seven, hopefully dumating mid-2026.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/30/teodoro-urges-congress-to-amend-afp-modernization-law-2101">Teodoro urges Congress to amend AFP Modernization Law</a></div><p>The purchase of the Black Hawk helicopters was made in 2022 by the Department of National Defense in a P32-billion contract.</p><p>It is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, which aims to enhance the country’s air mobility, disaster response and security operations.</p><p>“The platform has demonstrated brilliance in our operations—it served our purpose right,” Cordura noted.</p><p>“These aircraft remind us of what action [was] achieved and investment in capability. These aircraft will help fulfill a wide range of missions—from troop movement and medical evacuation to relief efforts during calamities, and rapid deployment in contingency situations,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>AUXILIARY TANKS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>According to Castillo, the capability improvement program of the new Black Hawk helicopters is in progress, such as the installation of auxiliary tanks for increased operational endurance, which will be very helpful, especially in resupply missions, medical evacuations, and territorial defense operations.</p><p>“Eventually, kapag nagkaroon na siya ng auxiliary tanks, mas mahaba ang kanyang endurance. Ibig sabihin, mas matagal siyang makakalipad. From Palawan, kaya niyang lumipad towards our areas in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ),&quot; the PAF official explained.</p><p>&quot;Pag nalagyan ng auxiliary tanks, kayang-kaya niyang tumulong sa reconnaissance and surveillance ng ating areas. At the same time, kung kailangan magresupply ng mga tropa o meron tayong kailangang medical evacuation in these areas, kayang-kaya niyan.” </p><p>“It’s part of our capability development. Hindi lang for territorial defense. Eventually, kung kailangan din natin siya in support of our internal security operations and HADR operations, malaking tulong na mayroong auxiliary tanks para mas mahaba ang endurance at nakakasave tayo ng time to refuel,” she added.</p><p>The new helicopters will be assigned to the PAF’s 250th Tactical Helicopter Wing.</p><p>With the latest delivery, the PAF now operates 30 Black Hawks.</p><p>“All in all, kasama ang 15 na original natin before pa, earlier on, meron na tayong 30 na Black Hawk helicopters,” Castillo said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/20/marcos-jr-vows-support-for-afp-amid-evolving-challenges-2303">Marcos Jr. vows support for AFP amid &#x27;evolving challenges&#x27;</a></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>The Philippine Air Force (PAF) received five new units of the S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, a significant step in the military’s modernization.</p>

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) received five new units of the S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, a significant step in the military’s modernization.

Five new Black Hawk helicopters join PH Air Force fleet

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Five new Black Hawk helicopters join PH Air Force fleet

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 14, 2025 01:06 PM PHT

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Updated August 14, 2025 02:29 PM PHT

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Philippine Air Force

Lt. Gen. Cordura

Black Hawk helicopters

defense

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