Ministry of defence to initiate negotiations for EMB-314 Super Tucanos to replace ageing strike aircraft fleet
Colombia’s ministry of defence has scrapped the competition for its ongoing $235 million light strike aircraft procurement programme.
Nevertheless, the Colombian air force will receive the long-awaited replacements for its ageing and dwindling fleets of Rockwell OV-10A and Cessna OA-37B strike aircraft, says vice-minister for defence Jorge Mario Eastman.
The ministry of defence will initiate this month direct negotiations to purchase the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano. Backed by existing laws governing the purchase of defence-related equipment, voiding of the procurement programme is viewed by some local sources as a strategy to accelerate the long-deferred purchase of new light strike aircraft.
The move will reportedly provide better negotiating leverage.
Earlier this year the programme underwent significant changes that allowed entry of jet-powered aircraft as well as the originally considered turboprop contenders. Then, the programme’s tight flight trials schedule led to the elimination of some contenders, while four leading bidders abandoned the fray, alleging the Super Tucano was being unduly favoured in view of some technical requirements set by the air force.
With the EMB-314 as the sole competitor, the aircraft underwent the scheduled operational and performance trials at Apiay air base in late June. Fulfilling all of the established operational and technical parameters set by the air force, the Super Tucano exceeded some of the target requirements.
However, the ministry of defence ultimately voided the bid because of Embraer’s failure to furnish Colombia with an EMB-314 flight simulator. The manufacturer’s proposal offered the use of Brazilian air force equipment and personnel to address flight simulator needs.
The MoD hopes to conclude negotiations and sign the contract by the beginning of the fourth quarter, with an eye on initial deliveries of four aircraft in September 2006 and subsequent deliveries at a rate of around one aircraft a month.
Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina each chose not to bid after initially expressing strong interest, the former with the Texan T-6B and the latter with the AT-63 Pampa. Raytheon publicly criticised Bogotá for drafting requirements that seemed to disqualify all bidders except the EMB-314, which was the only aircraft meeting a requirement for an internal gun.
Source: Flight International
