Philippine Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana has announced that the country will order 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters for more than $620 million.
The government last year completed an order of 16 S-70i helicopters to replace the Air Force’s fleet of Bell UH-1Hs, commonly known as the Huey, after fatal accidents. Manila is buying additional Black Hawks from Poland-based Lockheed Martin subsidiary PZL Mielec.
First of these new rotorcraft will begin to arrive in Philippines from next year. He said that the remaining units will be delivered in three batches, 10 units in 2024, 10 units in 2025 and seven units in 2026, Lorenzana said in a Facebook post.
Philippines; Air Force orders 32 additional Black Hawks