NextGen Day

Initial financing for the acquisition of 32 more Polish-made S-70i “Black Hawk” combat utility helicopters was released on December 27, giving the Philippines extra assets for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.

“The SARO’s release has made us very happy (Special Allotment Release Order). More helicopters are desperately needed, especially for HADR missions “When asked about the initial budget release for the aircraft acquisition, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana informed the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday night.

The Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) S-70i squadrons are currently transporting relief supplies and rescue workers to areas devastated by Typhoon Odette last month.

They’ve also been used to transport coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines to remote places around the country.

On December 27, the Department of Budget and Management issued a SARO to the Defense Department for PHP1.6 billion “to cover the initial funding requirement for the Philippine Air Force’s additional utility helicopters acquisition project under the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.”

Lorenzana had previously stated that the S-70is and six offshore patrol boats (OPVs) contracts would be concluded and signed before the end of the month.

He also revealed that the government had set aside PHP62 billion to buy 32 “Black Hawk” combat utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force and six OPVs for the Philippine Navy.

The PAF had previously concluded a USD241 million purchase of 16 “Black Hawk” helicopters from the Polish manufacturer PZL Mielec (about PHP11.5 billion).

The first six “Black Hawk” helicopters were delivered in November 2020, with the second batch of five arriving in June and being formally accepted, turned over, and blessed on October 13 in a small ceremony.

The fifth and last batch of choppers arrived on November 8 and were formally accepted by the PAF on December 3.

On June 24, 2021, one of the six original units sent to the country crashed during a night-flying training.

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