32 "Black Hawk" delivered, Philippine Defense Department says military still in a predicament of insufficient support

According to a report by Reference News on August 28, the Philippine News Agency reported on August 25 that the Philippine Air Force plans to officially receive seven brand new S-70i "Black Hawk" utility helicopters on the 26th, bringing the total number of "Black Hawk" helicopters in its fleet to 47.

Philippine Air Force spokesperson Colonel Maria Christina Bascos stated in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on the 25th that the formal reception, handover, and blessing ceremony for these seven helicopters marks the successful completion of the procurement contract for 32 helicopters signed by the Philippine Air Force with the Polish Aviation Industry's Mielec plant, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, on February 22, 2022, with a total contract value of 32 billion Philippine pesos (approximately 520 million USD).

Bascos stated that after the delivery ceremony held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay, Philippines, these S-70i helicopters will be put into immediate use.

She said, "The arrival of these seven helicopters signifies the completion of the delivery of all 32 S-70i 'Black Hawk' helicopters procured under the Philippine Air Force modernization program, marking an important milestone in the development of the Philippine rotorcraft capability."

Bascos noted that the newly inducted aircraft will enhance the Philippine Air Force's capability to perform various missions, including troop and personnel transport, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and other critical aerial operations.

She added, "This important milestone reflects the Philippine Air Force's ongoing commitment to achieving fleet modernization and enhancing mission readiness through the establishment of a larger and more capable 'Black Hawk' fleet. The Philippine Air Force is now better equipped to provide timely and effective air support in critical situations."

The first batch of 16 "Black Hawk" helicopters ordered by the Philippine Air Force was delivered in 2020 and 2021, with a total value of 11.5 billion Philippine pesos. However, one helicopter from the first batch crashed during a night training mission on June 24, 2021.

According to a report by the Philippine Business World on August 25, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro stated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines need more bases, storage facilities, and other infrastructure to support modern military equipment. He warned that years of insufficient funding have left the military in a predicament of being "well-equipped but lacking adequate support."

During a hearing held by the House Appropriations Committee on the Department of National Defense's budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, Teodoro told lawmakers, "The equipment we use is merely the tip of the spear; without a supporting logistics system to sustain this hardware, everything will be useless, and the equipment will not be able to operate continuously."

It is reported that the national expenditure plan allocates a budget of 324.632 billion pesos to the Department of National Defense, which is 43.32% lower than the department's requested amount of 572.787 billion pesos.

Teodoro stated, "Modernization is not just about acquiring combat capabilities; it also requires providing sufficient infrastructure to support these capabilities."

He indicated that the military has not received adequate funding for infrastructure development over the years, resulting in gaps in the facilities needed for storing, maintaining, and operating modern equipment.

The Department of National Defense has prioritized the construction of strategic bases and logistics bases, focusing on the central region that can radiate to the country's maritime areas, to strengthen military deployment and supply lines.

Teodoro stated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines also need a broader network of facilities to serve as logistics bases for troops deployed across the country. Critical supplies also need to be stored in multiple locations to ensure that frontline troops can access reserve materials. He said that military facilities must also be designed to accommodate the size and weight of modern equipment.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines are also seeking to strengthen their information technology and cyber warfare capabilities, which Teodoro stated are crucial for command and control.

He mentioned that the military needs larger rotorcraft to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. He also added that the existing fleet of "Black Hawk" helicopters is insufficient to undertake such tasks.

Teodoro noted that the Philippine Navy is still commissioning modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels, while the Philippine Army is focusing on enhancing mobility and expanding deployments nationwide. (Translated by Yang Xuelai and Lin Zhaohui)