Army optimistic about re-fleeting air wing

Feb 06, 2014 News

By Zena Henry
The aviation arm of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is optimistic that Government will review the need to re-fleet the Air Corps fixed and rotary wing air carriers. Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Khemraj Persaud, during an interview on Tuesday, said that given the positive feedback from those tasked with making decisions concerning the tooling of the GDF, he believes that moves to better equip the country’s first line of defence will be coming soon.

Leader of Opposition Brigadier (retired) David Granger

Although the Colonel could not say exactly when the Air Corps could expect to have new or additional planes, he stated, that based on the feedback, “it seems as though we will be getting there soon.”
Colonel Persaud explained, further, that the Air Corps has had its share of challenges in terms of maintaining their fleet, “but we will get to the point where it will be up and running.” He said that currently the army has three rotary wing and fixed aircraft.
When asked about discussions pertaining to the re-fleeting aspects of the force, he said that, “There are always discussions with the leadership of the country and the Defence board, on the recapitalization, not only of the Air Corps, but other areas of the army.”
He stated further that any word on new airlines would be in the area of Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips, but reiterated that hopes are high for bettering the capacity of the force.
Senior officers from the GDF Air Corps had expressed concern over the force’s aging, and corroding airplanes and highlighted the need for the Administration to re-view the re-tooling aspect of the army, specifically the air equipment.
The newspaper was told that the current fixed wing fleet includes a 1960s British-made Skyvan which has been in use for several years, and is “corroding unusually,” a Chinese Harbin Y-12, purchased in 2001, was recently given an extra five year-operational life; and a smaller aircraft; a single-engine Cessna 206; seized during a drug raid. Three helicopters that included a Bell 412 complemented the line.
Veteran pilots had said that the authorities should seriously look over the fleet, suggesting that the GDF focus on sourcing new airplanes such as short C-23 Sherpa and the Polish light cargo and passenger PZL M28 Skytruck, “as these are ideal for the relatively short and sometimes rough interior airstrips.”
A senior officer had told Kaieteur News that replacing the ideal multi-purpose Skyvan is not as easy since in his opinion, “no aircraft can compete with it.” The plane is obsolete and replacing parts is very difficult and expensive.
The officer explained further that the six-seat single-engine Cessna is much too small for the army’s tasks. A team the officer suggested would have to be put together to assess all that is necessity for the Air Corps and to properly source the most suitable air transport.
The officer also touched on the need to upkeep, and even to improve, interior airstrips so that it should not affect the type of planes to be sourced.

Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Khemraj Persaud

Opposition leader, Brigadier (retired) David Granger has also agreed that the country’s army needs upgrading. He said, “Given our perception of the current threats to Guyana’s national defence and security, there needs to be more attention paid to deal with territorial issues, border and territorial security.”
This, he said, would require aircraft, since we have over 2,500 km of border, plus a sea coast to man. He spoke about a huge sea space, of about 52,000 square miles, “and in order to cover our territory adequately, the defence force need not only land vehicles, but also more attention needs to be placed on the technical arm particularly, aviation; Air Corps and Coast Guard which deals with maritime problems.”
The Opposition Leader added that there is the need for additional financing to develop specifically the Air Corps and Maritime arm especially in light of the continued reports of piracy and banditry in interior locations. The Leader said that he supports the call for re-fleeting the Air Corps and believes that more must be done for the nation’s defense.

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