PHILIPPINES TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER 32 BLACK HAWKS IN FOUR YEARS

摘要

LOCKHEED MARTIN'S Polish subsidiary, PZL Mielec, signed a contract with the Philippine Department of National Defence on February 22 for the manufacture of 32 additional Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawks. The last of the 32 are scheduled for delivery by 2026, considerably increasing the operational capacity of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to carry out search-and-rescue, humanitarian and disaster-relief missions, as well as the ability to transport troops across the country. The first batch of five Black Hawks will be delivered in 2023, followed by a second batch of ten in 2024, a third batch often in 2025 and a final batch of seven in 2026. All 32 helicopters will be delivered to the PAF's 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing in a universal utility configuration. Each helicopter will be equipped with a weather radar, digital map, seats for soldiers in the cabin and a load hook with a 9,000lb(4,082kg) capacity. Pilots and ground crews will receive training in the United States and the Philippines.