section_path: Operational history/Philippines
section_name: Philippines
paragraph_text: Philippines
  
  2 S-70-A5 VIP helicopters purchased 1983 and was delivered in 1984, this Blackhawk served the 250th PAW for more than 3 decades as a Presidential VVIP transport helicopter. Only 1 remains in service with the 505th Search and Rescue Group.
  
  In March 2019, the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) signed a contract worth US$241.4 million (~$ 284 million in 2023) with Lockheed Martin 's Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec for 16 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawks to the PAF. On 10 December 2020, the PAF commissioned their first batch of six S-70i Blackhawks, with the remaining 10 to be delivered in 2021. In June 2021, the air service received a second batch of five helicopters. In November 2021, the third batch of five arrived.
  
  On 22 February 2022, DND and PZL Mielec formally signed the US$624 million contract for 32 additional S-70i Black Hawks, totaling to around 48 units ordered. This will make the Philippine Air Force the largest user of S-70i Blackhawk Helicopters globally.