Russian Helicopters To Arrive Next Year

17 December 2020

While the Philippine Air Force (PAF) receives its first Combat Utility Helicopter from Poland last month, another set of new Russian-built heavy helicopters are on their way to the Philippines according to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the sidelines of the Philippine Navy fleet review and wing flyby held off Morong, Bataan on Wednesday. 

The Philippines will receive 16 new medium-lift helicopters from Russia in a Government to Government deal worth US$268.7 million (₱12.797 billion), and slated for delivery on the fourth quarter of next year. 

DND formally approved the Mi-171 acquisition through the issuance of a ‘Notice of Award’ document to Russia last month. 

The Russian government will also donate one brand new Mi-171 to the Philippines in VIP configuration, upon directions of President Vladimir Putin.

 

Lorenzana said the value and capability of the Russian helicopter was seen first hand by the Philippine Air Force at the height of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) when the United Nation (UN) brought a pair of Mi-17 to aid in relief distribution efforts in November of 2013.

“Contrary to reports, the purchase of Russia made helicopter was already in the minds of the AFP Technical Working Group (TWG) since 2013 as it was very effective in humanitarian assistance,” says Lorenzana.

Lorenzana disclosed that government saw logistics difficulty in bringing relief supplies to Typhoon hit areas of Northern Luzon and Bicol region in November after it was hit by three successive and strong typhoons.

“The PAF has detailed data on EU and US made helicopters. So comparison was made on those data readily available. It didn't have enough technical data with Russian helicopters then, referring to the revised modernization program. But now everything changes after Russia provided it to them in 2016, so it was one of the recommendation.”

Lorenzana stressed that AFP Modernization program can be changed.

“Nothing is set in stone.  As a matter of fact, the black hawks was not there in the revised plan. It was supposed to be the Bell 412, yet here they are, ” says the Defense Chief.

Meanwhile, the PAF will complete its acceptance of 16 units Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters acquired from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o and manufactured under license from Sikorsky USA for a contract price of USD241 million. 

Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze started delivery last month of six Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters. The remaining 10 orders will arrive in the country in the first quarter of next year.