PZL Mielec finalized the largest contract for S-70i Black Hawk helicopters

PZL Mielec, has completed the contract to deliver 32 S-70i Black Hawk multi-role helicopters to the Philippine Air Force. The final batch of seven aircraft was officially accepted into service during a ceremony at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City. This delivery marks the completion of the largest single order for Black Hawk helicopters in the history of S-70i production at PZL Mielec. 

The delivery of these S-70i Black Hawk helicopter under this contract marks an important milestone in the long-standing partnership between PZL Mielec and the Philippine Air Force," said Janusz Zakręcki, PZL Mielec President and General Director. "Completing all 32 aircraft is a testament to the trust our customer has placed in our team, our manufacturing capabilities, and our commitment to delivering reliable, mission-ready helicopters on schedule. We are proud that aircraft designed, built and tested in Poland are supporting the Philippine Air Force in carrying out a wide range of defense, humanitarian, and disaster response missions.” 

PZL Mielec’s cooperation with the Philippines regarding the delivery of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters began with a contract for 16 aircraft signed in 2019. All the machines were delivered on schedule, and the contract was completed in December 2021. The next stage involved the signing of a contract in February 2022 for an additional 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters. This marked the largest single order for Black Hawk helicopters placed with PZL Mielec since the start of S-70i production in 2009. In total, across the two contracts, PZL Mielec delivered 48 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippines, making the country the largest operator of the S-70i in the world. 

The S-70i Black Hawk multi-role combat helicopters operated by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are utilized for a wide range of military missions and tasks across the archipelago’s diverse terrain—spanning advanced tactical exercises and rapid humanitarian response to jungle warfare support and security operations. The rugged and reliable Black Hawk helicopter serves as a vital asset for enhancing maneuverability, rescue capabilities, and combat effectiveness in a demanding environment. 

The completion of deliveries to the Philippines marks the conclusion of the largest single contract for the S-70i Black Hawk in the history of PZL Mielec, as well as another significant chapter in the history of the Mielec facility and the Polish aviation industry.