Lockheed Martin to Boost Philippine Air Force Capabilities with Delivery of 10 S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters.

On January 16, 2025, Lockheed Martin announced a major milestone in its partnership with the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND), with the delivery of 10 S-70i™ Black Hawk® helicopters in 2024. This delivery is part of an ongoing contract for 32 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters under the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition Project, which is designed to enhance the country’s aerial defense and humanitarian capabilities.
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A Philippine Air Force S-70i Black Hawk helicopter approaches a simulated disaster site during a mass casualty exercise for U.S. and Philippine Air Force medical personnel at Clark Air Base, Philippines, on August 16, 2023, as part of the Pacific Airlift Rally 2023. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The addition of these 10 helicopters in 2024 brings the PAF’s (Philippine Air Forces) total fleet of S-70i Black Hawks to 25, as part of a long-term plan to expand to 47 by the end of the delivery process in 2026. This will make the Philippines the operator of the world’s largest fleet of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, a significant achievement for the country’s defense capabilities and regional security posture.

The S-70i Black Hawk is a versatile and rugged utility helicopter that is capable of performing a wide array of missions, including combat, troop transport, search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), disaster relief, and humanitarian aid. Based on the highly successful UH-60 Black Hawk platform, the S-70i is produced by Lockheed Martin’s subsidiary, PZL Mielec, in Poland. Despite being manufactured in Europe, the S-70i shares many design features and mission capabilities with its American-made counterpart, the UH-60M Black Hawk, ensuring ease of interoperability across allied forces.

The S-70i Black Hawk is designed to operate in a variety of challenging environments, from tropical jungles to mountainous regions, making it particularly well-suited for the Philippine archipelago's diverse terrain. The aircraft’s flexibility is further enhanced by its capacity to carry up to 11 fully equipped troops or transport cargo via external sling loads. It is powered by a pair of General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, offering exceptional power and reliability for its missions.

In addition to its ruggedness, the S-70i is equipped with modern avionics and communication systems, allowing for enhanced situational awareness and efficient mission management. These systems ensure the aircraft remains an effective tool for the Philippine Air Force in responding to natural disasters, providing humanitarian assistance, and ensuring internal and regional security.

The Philippine Air Force’s fleet of S-70i Black Hawks is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the nation’s defense infrastructure. According to Hamid Salim, Vice President of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky, the expanded fleet will play a vital role in conducting critical missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian relief, and troop transportation throughout the Philippine Islands. The continued acquisition of these helicopters is expected to significantly bolster the operational capacity of the Philippine military, providing it with a reliable and versatile platform to address both domestic and regional security challenges.

Once the current contract is completed, the Philippines will have a total of 47 S-70i Black Hawks, which will serve to modernize the country’s rotary-wing fleet and enhance its defense readiness. Notably, the Philippines will possess the largest fleet of these aircraft worldwide, which provides strategic advantages in terms of interoperability with other allied forces and in strengthening its deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Lockheed Martin has been steadily expanding its footprint in the Philippines, strengthening both its defense and commercial operations in the region. The company's efforts include increasing partnerships with local industry and enhancing its presence with an official office in Manila. A key part of Lockheed Martin's strategy in the Philippines is its collaboration with Asian Aerospace, which was appointed in September 2024 as the official original equipment manufacturer (OEM) authorized reseller for Sikorsky spare parts and repair services. This partnership will provide the Philippine Air Force with OEM-approved, high-quality parts to maintain the rapidly expanding Black Hawk fleet and ensure ongoing operational readiness. Through this initiative, Lockheed Martin aims to deliver robust support to the Philippines’ growing fleet, providing essential resources for maintenance, repair, and logistics.

The delivery of 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippine Air Force in 2024 marks a significant milestone in the country’s defense modernization efforts. With the eventual acquisition of 47 helicopters, the Philippines will become the global leader in operating this reliable, multi-mission aircraft. Lockheed Martin’s continued support through strategic partnerships and a strong presence in the region will further solidify the Philippines' defense capabilities and strengthen regional security in the Indo-Pacific. As the Philippine Air Force continues to expand its fleet of Black Hawks, the S-70i is set to remain a vital asset for missions ranging from humanitarian aid to combat operations, ensuring the Philippine military is equipped to meet both current and future challenges.