Philippines, Poland firm sign deal for 32 Black Hawk helicopters

The Philippines has signed a contract for the purchase of 32 Black Hawk helicopters from Poland worth US$624 million or more than P32 billion.

The acquisition of S70i Black Hawk helicopters will also include an integrated logistics support and training package for pilots and maintenance crew.

"The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is very happy with the Black Hawk helicopters,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said during the signing ceremony held at the DND building in Camp Aguinaldo.

“Hopefully, the delivery of these new utility helicopters will start soon. I think we will not be here anymore to receive these helicopters, but nonetheless, we will be happy to see the improvement of the capability of the Philippine Air Force,” he added.

Lorenzana signed on behalf of the DND, while Mr. Janusz Zakrecki, PZL Mielec President represented the Polish company during the ceremony.

The Duterte administration will end on June 30, 2022.

The PAF also previously purchased 16 Black Hawk helicopters from PZL Mielec of Poland, with the final batch delivered and received in November 2021.

The first batch of six units was delivered in November 2020, followed by the second batch of five units in June 2021.

“Unfortunately we lost one in July due to accident. That is  acceptable risk of flying helicopters at night during bad weather,” the Lorenzana said.

The PAF said the set of helicopters would boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capability for various operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.

The Defense chief added that the Black Hawk helicopters, as well as the country’s 15 Sikorsky 70i, were helpful during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.  —NB, GMA News