Lockheed Martin delivers 10 S-70 Black Hawks to the Philippines
For multi-mission roles
In 2024, Lockheed Martin delivered 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippine Department of National Defence (DND) as part of the country’s ambitious military modernisation programme. The delivery is a key milestone under a contract for 32 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters, a component of the DND’s Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition Project.
The versatile and rugged S-70i Black Hawk shares operational characteristics with the UH-60M Black Hawk, making it ideal for the Philippine military’s diverse mission requirements. These include search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and troop transport across the archipelago. \
As more helicopters are delivered, the Philippines will possess the largest fleet of S-70i Black Hawks globally, reinforcing its security posture and operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The growing Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter fleet in the Philippines is a testament to this reliable, multi-mission aircraft that is depended on for critical operations,” said Hamid Salim, Vice President of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky.
He emphasised that the expanded fleet would contribute to greater interoperability, commonality, and security advantages for the Philippines and its partners.
Signed in 2022, the contract ensures that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will receive 32 S-70i helicopters, a substantial addition to the 15 Black Hawks currently in service. Five units were delivered in June 2024 and another five in December 2024, bolstering the PAF’s fleet to 47 helicopters and enhancing its capabilities across a wide range of missions. The remaining helicopters are expected to arrive over the next two years.
Lockheed Martin’s commitment to the Philippines extends beyond the delivery of aircraft. The company has been strengthening its operational presence in the country, including establishing an office in Manila to support local industry and military needs.
In September 2024, Lockheed Martin appointed Asian Aerospace as the official reseller of Sikorsky spare parts and repair services for the Black Hawk helicopter family. This partnership ensures that the Philippine military has access to high-quality, OEM-approved parts essential for maintaining and sustaining its expanding fleet of Black Hawks.
The continued growth of the Sikorsky Black Hawk fleet is part of the Philippine government’s broader effort to modernise its military capabilities and enhance its disaster response and humanitarian assistance capabilities. The S-70i helicopters are well-suited for the country’s geographic challenges, providing a reliable means of transporting personnel and supplies to even the most remote and inaccessible areas.
As the Philippine Air Force integrates these helicopters into its operations, the expanded fleet will further solidify the nation’s defence capabilities while providing a valuable tool for responding to natural disasters, conducting search and rescue missions, and supporting various civil and military operations.
Image: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will receive 32 S-70i helicopters, a substantial addition to the 15 Black Hawks in service. Credit: Lockheed Martin
