PAF S-70i Black Hawk fleet (photo : PAF)
MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking to have more training opportunities with the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), as it is poised to get more S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters.
This is among the matters discussed by PAF commander Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas and USARPAC chief Gen. Charles Flynn during the latter's visit to the PAF headquarters at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City February 21.
"Discussed are the possible Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) and trainings on helicopter operations particularly the 'Black Hawk' and other SMEEs which will benefit both parties," PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano said in a statement Wednesday.
The PAF presently has 15 operational "Black Hawk" helicopters which were delivered in 2020 and 2021. These were 16 originally but one crashed during a night-flying exercise on June 24, 2021.
The Air Force is expected to get 32 more "Black Hawk" helicopters within the next three years after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and PZL Mielec president Janusz Zakrecki formally signed the PHP32 billion contract for the acquisition of the additional helicopters on Tuesday.
Aside from the possible training for "Black Hawk" helicopter operations, Flynn and Canlas also discussed other operational matters.
"The two commanders discussed and shared insights on the integration of Ground Based Air Defense Systems into the overall picture of the Integrated Air Defense Concept," Mariano said.
He added the meeting culminated with the assurance of continued cooperation and partnership between the USARPAC and the PAF. (PNA)
DND signed contract for 32 S-70i Black Hawks helicopters
DND signed the contract for the purchase of 32 additional units of S70i Black Hawks from PZL Mielec of Poland, worth USD 624 million.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed in behalf of the DND, while Mr. Janusz Zakrecki, PZL Mielec President represented the Polish company during the ceremony.
Lorenzana issued the Notice of Award for PZL Mielec of Poland regarding the 32 "Black Hawk" helicopters last December 28.
He added that the project, worth PHP32 billion, comes with an initial logistics support package and training for pilots and maintenance crew.
"The delivery of these helicopters will start on CY (Calendar Year) 2023 (five units) while the remaining ones will be delivered in three batches as follows: CY2024 - 2nd batch (10 units); CY2025 - 3rd batch (10 units); and CY2026 - last batch (seven units)," Lorenzana said.
The PAF completed the acquisition of 16 Black Hawk helicopters, also from the Polish aerospace manufacturer, worth USD241 million (about PHP11.5 billion).
The first batch of six helicopters was delivered in November 2020, followed by the second batch of five in June last year that was formally accepted, turned over, and blessed on Oct. 13, 2021.
The last batch of five was delivered on Nov. 8, 2021, and formally accepted by the PAF on December 3. One of the initial six units delivered crashed on June 24, 2021 while on a night-flying exercise.