Lockheed Martin delivers 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippines in 2024

By Defence Industry Europe

Lockheed Martin delivered 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) in 2024. This delivery is part of a 32-aircraft contract under the DND’s Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition Project.

 

The S-70i Black Hawk, known for its robust and versatile performance, shares its multi-mission capabilities with the UH-60M model. These aircraft are vital for missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and troop transport across the Philippines’ extensive archipelago.

Hamid Salim, Vice President of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky, highlighted the aircraft’s growing presence in the region. “When deliveries are completed, the Philippines will have the largest fleet of S-70i Black Hawks in the world, strengthening security and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific,” Salim said.

 

 

The agreement, signed in 2022, outlines the delivery of 32 Black Hawk helicopters by Lockheed Martin’s subsidiary PZL Mielec. The Philippine Air Force (PAF), which already operates 15 of these helicopters, will see its fleet expanded to 47 by 2026.

The initial five helicopters under this contract were delivered in June 2024, with an additional five arriving in December 2024. The remaining 22 helicopters will be delivered over the next two years, significantly enhancing the PAF’s operational capacity.

 

 

Lockheed Martin is also expanding its presence in the Philippines by fostering local partnerships and establishing an office in Manila. In September 2024, Asian Aerospace was appointed as the official reseller of Sikorsky spare parts and repair services, ensuring reliable support and high-quality components for the growing Black Hawk fleet.

 

Source: Lockheed Martin (press release).

 

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