Philippine Air Force gets 5 new Black Hawk helicopters

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has received five additional S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopters it ordered from Poland.

In a statement, the PAF said the shipment arrived at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Monday.

So far, PAF has received 11 of the 16 Black Hawk helicopters it ordered. The first batch of six helicopters were delivered in December 2020.

The PAF said the third batch of five helicopters are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2021.

The PAF added that the recent arrival of the five helicopters will further boost the heli-lift capability of the Army and will help the government deliver more services in more areas faster.

In the past few months, the Black Hawks transported vaccines and personal protective equipment to Batanes, Bicol and other parts of the country.

"With this new arrival, the PAF will be a better partner in the fight against the pandemic and a reliable ally in nation building," the PAF said. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/ BAP, GMA News