Key facts
- Poland is seeking new defense partnerships with the Philippines.
- Poland could sell reconnaissance and fighting drones, radar equipment, and anti-aircraft missiles.
- The Philippines acquired 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from Polish Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec for 32 billion pesos ($509.60 million).
- The delivery of the last seven Black Hawk helicopters was completed last month.
- Poland is investing nearly $50 billion in its defense industry.
- Talks are ongoing between Ukraine and Poland for the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets in exchange for drone technology.
Poland is actively seeking to expand its defense partnerships with the Philippines, with a senior foreign ministry official stating that Warsaw is looking to sell a range of military hardware. This comes after the recent completion of a deal that saw the Philippines acquire 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from Polish manufacturer PZL Mielec.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, who was in Manila for annual political consultations, indicated that Poland's significant investment of nearly $50 billion in its defense industry could lead to further export opportunities. Potential sales to the Philippines include reconnaissance and fighting drones, radar equipment, and anti-aircraft missiles. A Philippine military delegation recently visited Poland to assess available equipment.
The previous deal for the 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters was valued at 32 billion pesos ($509.60 million), with the final seven aircraft delivered last month, according to the Philippine military. Separately, Bartoszewski mentioned ongoing discussions between Poland and Ukraine regarding the potential transfer of Warsaw's MiG-29 fighter jets in exchange for drone technology from Kyiv, highlighting Poland's role as a strong supporter of Ukraine.