New Blackhawk choppers boost PAF's operational readiness –DND Published May 23, 2021 12:44am Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Saturday that the recent acquisition of S-70is Blackhawk utility medium-lift helicopters had greatly boosted the operational readiness of the Philippine Air Force in both combat and non-combat missions. "Their larger capacity and impressive horsepower allows for a faster and long-range transport," Lorenzana said in a Facebook post. "Looking forward to the delivery of the remaining 10 Blackhawks this year." According to the Philippine News Agency, the PAF commissioned the first six of 16 Polish-made Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters it ordered in 2019 as part of its program to modernize its fleet of helicopters.