The Philippine Air Pressure (PAF) have inducted 5 extra S-70i Black Hawk multirole helicopters from Lockheed Martin’s Polish subisidary PLZ Mielec.
This order builds on the 32-strong fleet the corporate is constructing for the service since 2022.
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The PAF’s S-70i Black Hawks are used for a spread of navy missions and operations throughout the various archipelago – from tactical workout routines and humanitarian response, to jungle warfare assist, and safety operations.
In April 2025, the producer recalled that the PAF deployed the S-70i helicopters as a part of a joint coaching train by means of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing in cooperation with the Philippine Navy aboard the BRP Davao del Sur.
In Could, the PAF and the US Air Pressure carried out the joint Cope Thunder Philippines train, which concerned plane from each navies within the air and on land.
“As Poland’s largest arms exporter, every supply is a testomony to the talents and dedication of our Polish staff,” commented Janusz Zakręcki, president of the administration board and basic director of PZL Mielec. “We stay centered on delivering dependable and versatile platforms that improve the operational readiness of our companions worldwide.”
Philippine defence perception
Across the similar time because the supply of the 5 extra platforms in mid-August, the Secretary of Nationwide Defence, Gilberto Teodoro, emphasised the necessity to make sure the Philippines venture a reputable defence posture throughout the US-ASEAN Enterprise Council.
On this backdrop, the Philippines are often threatened by Chinese language navy infringement in its unique financial zone, notably across the Scarborough Shoal. Final week, a Chinese language warship collided with a Chinese language Coast Guard vessel as each harassed a Philippine vessel on a resupply run within the South China Sea.
“You can’t have a mushy win which isn’t everlasting. It’s a must to have a agency win. And for me, the win is no person touches the Philippines – whoever it might be,” Teodoro asserted.
However throughout the entire of defence, Teodoro recognized thorny points with regards to infrastructure.
“The Philippine protection system now’s busy catching up on infrastructure growth, our strategic basing, warehousing, high quality storage, ample infrastructure that’s of navy grade, navy use services which can be safe, resilient, and as situated as close to as potential to our choke factors,” Teodoro noticed in his remarks.
Lithuania, one other Black Hawk consumer, albeit the UH-60M beneath a Overseas Navy Gross sales deal, is trying to improve the operational functionality of its helicopter fleet with crucial infrastructure, together with the revealing of a brand new hangar final 12 months.
Will probably be used to park helicopters, perform upkeep and technical service, whereas the administrative-purpose constructing may have workplaces.
