Philippines Accepts 5 Polish-Built S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters to Boost Combat Lift.

The Philippine Air Force has taken delivery of five additional brand-new S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters as part of its ongoing fleet modernization program. The acquisition strengthens the country’s airlift, disaster response, and internal security capabilities while highlighting deepening defense-industrial cooperation with Poland.

The Philippine Air Force has officially accepted five new S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters, according to a January 23, 2026, post on the Para Bellum X account. The delivery ceremony included participation from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the Philippines, a symbolic gesture reflecting the expanding defense partnership between Manila and Warsaw as the PAF continues a multi-year effort to modernize its vertical lift fleet amid persistent internal security demands and evolving regional defense requirements.
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Official handover ceremony of five S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippine Air Force on January 23, 2026, attended by representatives of the Polish Embassy in Manila and defense officials, marking the latest milestone in the Philippines' ongoing helicopter acquisition program. (Picture source: Para Bellum X account)

This delivery of S-70i Black Hawk by Poland to the Philippines is part of a $624 million deal signed in 2022 with Polish Company PZL Mielec, a Polish manufacturer owned by Lockheed Martin. Through this agreement, the Philippine Air Force is set to receive 32 S-70i helicopters by 2026, in addition to an earlier batch of 15 in service. This marks the third batch under the contract, bringing total deliveries to 15. The first five arrived in June 2024, followed by another five in December 2024. The final 17 helicopters will be delivered in phases through 2025 and 2026.

In 2024 alone, Lockheed Martin delivered 10 S-70i helicopters under the DND’s Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition Project. This sustained delivery tempo reflects both the Philippine government's commitment to expanding its tactical airlift and search-and-rescue capabilities and PZL Mielec's production efficiency in meeting tight international timelines. For Lockheed Martin, it also signals a growing foothold in Southeast Asia, where competition for rotary-wing platforms is intensifying amid rising security concerns in the South China Sea.

Designed with battlefield versatility at its core, the S-70i Black Hawk is derived from the combat-proven UH-60M and offers rugged reliability, ease of maintenance, and advanced mission adaptability. Manufactured by PZL Mielec in Poland, the S-70i is the international variant of the Black Hawk family and is tailored for foreign military customers seeking a high-performance, cost-effective, multi-role helicopter. The aircraft is built to military standards and equipped with a digital glass cockpit featuring advanced avionics, flight management systems, and a four-axis autopilot, improving handling and reducing crew workload.

The S-70i can carry up to 11 combat-equipped troops or six medical stretchers in its cabin, and is powered by twin General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, delivering excellent performance in hot-and-high environments and austere landing zones. With a maximum takeoff weight of 22,000 pounds and a cruise speed of approximately 151 knots (280 km/h), the helicopter supports a wide range of missions, including troop insertion, medical evacuation, disaster response, special operations, cargo transport, and close support of ground forces when equipped with external weapons and sensor packages.

The helicopter's body is armored to protect it against small-arms fire. Its seats, fuel tanks, and key systems are designed to help people survive crashes or attacks. It can be fitted with extra equipment for different missions, including door guns and rescue hoists. The S-70i can also work with NATO gear, making it more useful for countries that use the same equipment.

Sources within the PAF indicate that the new aircraft will be deployed across multiple commands, including the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing. This deployment aims to enhance rapid-response capability during both peacetime operations and high-tempo contingencies. The helicopters are expected to play a central role in counterinsurgency and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) missions. Their use will cover the country’s archipelagic geography.

Diplomatic sources also confirmed that Poland views the S-70i deal as a cornerstone in its broader ambition to deepen bilateral defense ties with the Philippines. Warsaw has expressed interest in exploring future defense-industrial cooperation, particularly in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities. This could reduce logistical dependence on overseas supply chains.

From a strategic perspective, the continued expansion of the PAF's rotary-wing fleet comes as Manila recalibrates its defense posture amid growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. As part of the broader Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program, the Black Hawk acquisition aligns with Horizon 3 objectives that prioritize mobility, jointness, and readiness across land, sea, and air domains.

With the delivery of these five new helicopters, the Philippine Air Force takes another decisive step toward achieving a more agile and capable force structure. This delivery signals to both domestic and external audiences that it remains committed to modernization through credible partnerships. Further deliveries in 2025 and 2026 are expected to complete what will be one of the largest Black Hawk fleets in Southeast Asia. The S-70i will become the backbone of the PAF’s tactical lift operations for the next generation.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.