The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has strengthened its humanitarian and disaster response capability with the commissioning of five new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters on Friday.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said the acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremonies were held at the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.
The event was attended by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, and Defense Undersecretary for Acquisition and Resource Management Salvador Melchor Mison Jr.
The helicopters form the fourth batch of the 32-unit acquisition from Poland’s PZL Mielec under the AFP modernization program. The latest units arrived on October 20, following earlier deliveries on June 10 and December 9, 2024, and July 15.
Each aircraft underwent technical inspection and acceptance from October 22 to 26, carried out by the DND, AFP, and PAF to ensure they met operational standards.
The new helicopters will be operated and maintained by the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing under the Air Mobility Command.
“With this latest addition, the PAF continues to strengthen its air mobility capability and fulfill its mandate to protect the nation and serve the Filipino people, in times of both humanitarian crisis and conflict,” Basco said.
