Rotorcraft

MANILA, The Philippines - Another batch of Bell 412EPX utility helicopters has been delivered to the Philippines, the country's Air Force announced on September 15.

The helicopters, the second group to arrive, were handed over at a ceremony held at Villamor Air Base, Pasay. The new rotorcraft will join the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing and will provide warfighter transport and participate in humanitarian assistance missions, the Air Force said.

The Philippines ordered eight 412EPX helicopters from Bell Textron Inc., which manufactures the helicopters in partnership with Japan's Subaru.

A previous batch of helicopters arrived in May. Together with that batch, the most recent arrivals, and the Philippines' existing fleet of similar helicopters, a total of 18 412s are in service at present. The remainder under contract should arrive through the end of 2027.

Last month, the Philippines separately took delivery of seven S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, completing an order for 32 units.

Source: The Defense Post
Associated URL: https://thedefensepost.com/2026/09/19/philippines-412epx-helicopters-us/

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sikorsky and the U.S. Army have agreed to extend UH-60M Black Hawk production through at least 2028 with a $356 million total contract for 16 helicopters. While the initial order is relatively small compared with the Army’s roughly 2,300-strong Black Hawk fleet, the agreement provides Sikorsky with a path to sustain production beyond the current multi-year contract, which was due to end in mid-2027.

The contract can also be expanded quickly if additional U.S. Army or Foreign Military Sales (FMS) demand and funding emerge. Sikorsky estimates potential demand for up to 150 Black Hawks over the next five years and says production of about 20 aircraft annually is necessary to maintain its industrial capacity and supply chain. The Army’s constrained budget and shift toward newer platforms, including the MV-75 Cheyenne II, could limit future domestic demand, increasing the importance of FMS opportunities for sustaining Black Hawk production.

Source: Flight Global
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026/09/sikorsky-reaches-deal-with-us-army-to-extend-black-hawk-production/
Author: Ryan Finnerty 

SEOUL, South Korea - The South Korean government has approved plans to purchase more MH-60R helicopters from the United States.

On September 15, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced the approval of the KRW3.24 trillion ($2.4 billion) purchase, which will see 20 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters delivered through 2032. The helicopters will replace older Lynx helicopters that are currently deployed with South Korean Navy warships.

The MH-60Rs will come equipped for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare missions, Yonhap reported.

South Korea previously purchased a dozen MH-60Rs in 2021.

In May, the U.S. approved a follow-on request for up to 24 MH-60Rs. "The proposed sale will improve Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by strengthening its Navy’s multi mission helicopter capability and by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries," the U.S. State Department said at the time of the approval.

Source: Yonhap News Agency
Associated URL: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915003000315