Five new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters have been inducted into the Philippine Air Force at Clark Air Base, strengthening the nation’s aerial fleet. The delivery is part of a 32-aircraft order placed in 2022 with PZL Mielec, Lockheed Martin’s subsidiary in Poland, as part of ongoing modernization efforts.
The Black Hawks are equipped for diverse missions such as disaster relief, humanitarian operations, and troop or supply transport. This latest delivery adds to the two earlier batches—five helicopters handed over in June 2024 and another five in December 2024—bringing the total received to 15 units to date.
Featuring a cabin length of 12.58 feet (3.84 meters), the S-70i accommodates a crew of four plus 12 troops. With a maximum gross take-off weight of 22,000 pounds (9,979 kilograms), the helicopters can cruise at 160 knots (296 kilometers per hour) and reach operational ceilings of 20,000 feet (6,097 meters), making them highly adaptable for regional missions.
Recently, the Black Hawks have seen active participation in training and allied exercises. They were deployed during joint drills with the Philippine Navy and the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing in April. More notably, they took part in the Cope Thunder 25-2 exercise in July, which featured the historic first deployment of a US Air Force F-35 squadron to the Philippines.
