Page 56 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

Force
Peruvian Air Force
Report Peruvian Air Force

included the manufacture of the first
four aircraft in Korea and the rest in
a facility that KAI would establish at
SEMAN in Lima. Delivery of the last
airframe took place in April 2017.
Also outlined in the Plan Quiñones
was the acquisition of at least a
dozen tactical transport aircraft
to replace the FAP’s dwindling
fleet of An-32Bs, the first of which
had arrived in 1987. Following a
procurement process, the C-27J
was named as the winner in
November 2013, with four having
been delivered to date, while
negotiations continue for the
acquisition of additional airframes.
The rotary-wing units were included
in the modernisation plan, in order Colombia
to extend the life of the Mi-25/35s Ecuador
in service with Escuadrón Aéreo
211 (EA 211). Accordingly, in July
2010 the Peruvian government and
Russia’s defence export agency Iquitos
Rosoboronexport negotiated Talara
a US$20m agreement for the
inspection and ‘Stage 1’ life- Piura
extension refurbishment of six
Mi-25/35s, as well as two Mi-17s
belonging to EA 342. The work Chiclayo
Above: Formation break by a quartet of KA-1Ps, led by serial 430. The FAP received ten of these armed light-attack and will be undertaken at Aircraft Brazil
counter-insurgency versions of the Woong-Bee, alongside a similar number of KT-1P trainers. The latter were assigned to the Repair Plant 810 at Chita, Siberia,
then Grupo Aéreo No 51, with which they complemented and then replaced the existing EMB-312 Tucanos in the pilot training extending the life of the aircraft Peru
role. All aircraft are assigned to EFOPI – the pilot training school. Inset: James Lawrence by 30 years or 4,000 hours.
air support (CAS) role in service and the fitting of a fixed in-flight 2018 and has ongoing contracts Work began in October 2011
in Latin America. The arrival of refuelling probe. In May 2013, the valid until 2023. Meanwhile, from with the transfer of two Mi-25s
the FAP Fulcrums also meant the Peruvian government announced 2013, the FAP High Command has (FAP 653 and FAP 694) and two
introduction of the Vympel R-27 its intention to modernise a continued to evaluate options for Mi-17s, all of which were delivered
(AA-10 Alamo) and R-77 (AA-12 second batch of eight fighters to the modernisation of the Mirage back to the FAP on January 30, Lima
Adder) beyond-visual-range (BVR) the same configuration, although 2000P force, which underwent 2012. Six days later, the remaining Lima-Callao
air-to-air missiles to the region. there is no concrete evidence a major inspection in 2012. four units — three Mi-25s and Pacific Las Palmas-Lima
Ocean
of a deal having been agreed. In November 2012, the Peruvian one Mi-25U (serials 648, 650, 697
The present Back in November 2008, Russian authorities, Korea Trade-Investment and 698 respectively) — arrived Pisco
In the mid-2000s, to meet the aerospace holding company Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Chita and work on them was
requirements of modern air warfare, Oboronprom had signed an and Korea’s Defense Acquisition completed in the second week Bolivia
the FAP High Command launched agreement with the Peruvian Program Administration (DAPA) of September 2012, before they
the Quiñones Strategic Plan, which defence ministry regarding the signed a contract for an estimated returned to Peru in October.
outlined the progressive upgrade establishing of a maintenance US$208.9m for the procurement Studies for the selection process La Joya
and modernisation of the FAP and repair centre for Mi-8, Mi-17 of 20 Korea Aerospace Industries for a future multi-role fighter aircraft Vitor
towards 2021, that year marking 200 and Mi-26 helicopters in Peru. (KAI) KT-1 advanced turboprop to replace the MiG-29 and Mirage
years of Peruvian independence. This was completed in December training aircraft. The agreement 2000 are expected to enter the
On August 13, 2008, in a bid
to establish the operational
capabilities outlined in the Núcleo
Básico de Defensa (NBD, Basic
Defence Core) – part of the
Quiñones plan – the Peruvian
government and RAC MiG signed
a US$106m contract to upgrade
eight of its 19 remaining MiG-
29S/SE fighters that the FAP
had acquired from Russia and
Belarus during the 1990s. The
first phase of the modernisation
process was completed in
the summer of 2012 with the
presentation of the eight MiG-
29s upgraded to SM-P standard,
including limited improvements Serial 629 is the FAP’s unique Bell 412HP, c/n 36020. The helicopter entered service in 1986 and serves with Escuadrón de
to radar and avionics equipment Helicópteros 332 at Lima-Callao, but is seen here over dramatic scenery near San Ramón.

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