MIELEC, Feb. 22, 2022 – PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company has signed a contract award with the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) to manufacture 32 additional S-70i™ Black Hawk® utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force. Delivery of all 32 aircraft by 2026 will dramatically increase the operational capacity of the Philippine Air Force to perform search and rescue missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and troop transport across the archipelagic country.
The contract signing took place on February 22 at the headquarters of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines by the Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines Delfin N. Lorenzana and Janusz Zakręcki, President, General Director of PZL Mielec.
The Philippine Air Force’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing will receive all 32 aircraft in a general utility configuration. Each aircraft will be equipped with a color weather radar, digital map, cabin troop seats, and a 9,000-pound (4,082 kg) cargo hook. Pilots and maintainers will receive training both in the U.S. and the Philippines.
“Our Polish workforce is committed to build and deliver the next fleet of 32 Black Hawk aircraft on schedule, with the support that ensures these multi-role vehicles will protect and save lives while serving the Philippine people for decades to come.” said Janusz Zakręcki, PZL Mielec president and general director.
“In the aftermath of typhoon Odette (international name Rai), the Philippine Air Force has shown the world how its recently acquired Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk fleet, designed and built to the toughest military standards, can quickly and reliably deliver emergency personnel and supplies to island populations across a large maritime area,” said Jason Lambert, vice president for Sikorsky Global Commercial & Military Systems.
The Philippine contract for 32 aircraft is the largest single order of Black Hawk helicopters for PZL Mielec since S-70i aircraft production began in 2009. The order comes less than two months after PZL Mielec, based in southern Poland, completed deliveries of 16 S-70i helicopters to the Philippine Air Force 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing in December 2021.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.
