The Colombian Army has formally introduced five new Sikorsky S-70i multi-mission helicopters into its fleet of Black Hawk aircraft, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced last week.
The aircraft, which were flown more than 4,300 miles from Sikorsky’s Stratford headquarters to the Colombian Army’s special operation aviation military base in Tolemaida, were accepted at a ceremony attended by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon.
With the world’s fourth-largest Black Hawk fleet, Colombia is the first South American country to purchase the S-70i variant. The five new helicopters now join a fleet of 96 UH-60L Black Hawk aircraft operated by the Colombian Army, Air Force and National Police.
“We are honored by the trust the Colombian Armed Forces continue to place in Sikorsky, and in the Black Hawk aircraft as the country”™s utility helicopter of choice,” said Jennifer Caruso, vice president of Sikorsky’s army and air force programs, in a prepared statement.
