Air Force gets 5 more Black Hawk choppers

Acting Department of Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Toledo and Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura at the ceremonial pouring of champagne for the five newly acquired S-70i "Black Hawk" at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Friday (Jan. 23, 2026). Also turned over were eight M134-H "Gatling" heavy machine guns which will be used to arm the aircraft. —PAF

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) accepted on Friday five more brand-new S-70i “Black Hawk” helicopters during a joint turnover and blessing ceremony at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Also accepted were eight M134-H “Gatling” heavy machine guns, which will be used to arm the aircraft.

“This delivery marks the fifth batch, bringing the total 25 units out of the 32 units programmed under the Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization initiatives,” the PAF said.

Budget delivered

The ceremony, conducted through the Air Force Systems Engineering and Modernization Office, was graced by acting Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Toledo, who served as guest of honor, along with PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura.