Country signs assistance deal with Russia, covering overhaul and modernisation of air force, army and navy aircraft
Peru has signed a wide-ranging military assistance agreement with Russia, aimed at recovering its defence aviation assets.
The first phase calls for overhaul and modernisation of 22 fixed-wing and 43 rotary-wing aircraft in service with the Peruvian air force, army and navy. The agreement takes effect this year and work will start on 16 air force Antonov An-32s, followed by the overhaul and upgrade of 36 air force and army Mil Mi-17 helicopters and four navy Mil Mi-8T and three army Mil Mi-26 helicopters.
The programme envisages upgrading the air force's 16 Mil Mi-25 Hind assault helicopters to Mi-35 standard. The air force's MiG-29 Fulcrums and Sukhoi Su-25 fighters are also set for upgrading, although Russian arms export agency Rosboronexport has signalled its willingness to replace the Fulcrums with new MiG-29 airframes, taking Peru's 16 MiG-29S/UB fighters as part payment.
Peru's defence ministry has signed a similar agreement with France covering the overhaul and modernisation of its Dassault Mirage 2000P/BPs, which have suffered low availability rates because of lack of funds and shortages of spares over the past five years - problems that have thrown Peru's military air arm into disarray and compromised its overall readiness.
The resurgence of the Sendero Luminoso guerrilla faction has given greater urgency to Peru's upgrade, spares procurement and modernisation programmes. These have been further spurred by the imminent reinstatement of the Peru-US counter-narcotic Air Bridge Denial Programme, which this month is expected to welcome two radar-equipped Cessna OT-47B Citation IIs under an $11 million scheme. The US government recently underwrote the modernisation of 10 Peruvian air force Cessna A-37Bs, interception aircraft deployed against illegal flights.
Source: Flight International
