Andrzej Jeziorski/BONN
THE GERMAN AIR FORCE is buying four more Airbus A310s to replace its ageing Boeing 707-320s in the transport/cargo role. The air force is also pushing to acquire Canadair Challenger 601s and Eurocopter AS.332 Super Pumas in the VIP role.
The air force plans to phase out its three VFW 614 turbofan-powered aircraft, four Let L-410UVP turboprops, six Mil Mi-8 helicopters and four of its Bell UH-1D Iroquois VIP helicopters. All these aircraft will be retired starting in 1998, as they become due for major inspections.
The A310s are being acquired from Lufthansa, adding to an air force fleet of three. The first two of the new batch are to be handed over for modification by the end of this year, with the rest following in 1997. The air force believes that the update will save it DM30 million ($20 million) a year in maintenance and operating costs.
The service failed to get parliamentary approval for the purchase of two used Challenger 601 business jets which it located on the US market in 1995, and which have since been sold to other customers. Despite this, the air force is still pushing to acquire similar aircraft.
To date, parliament has approved the purchase of three out of the air force's desired seven VIP Super Pumas, and the service remains optimistic that the other four will also be approved.
These helicopters will remain in service until the air force receives its VIP Eurocopter NH90s, which are expected to be delivered in 2008. The Super Pumas will then be returned to Eurocopter.
Source: Flight International
