The Papua New Guinea Defence Force Casa aircraft will undergo servicing in Indonesia.
The contract to have the vital fleet upgraded was signed yesterday. AD Trade Limited, a Belgium company has been tasked with the job.
The PNGDF Casa aircraft may be back in the air within 120 days after been grounded for years. This is the expected time frame given by the contractor, AD Trade Limited.
A sum of K4.2 million was presented to the contractor today to begin work on the aircraft. The aircraft will do a fairy flight to Indonesia on the 24th of this month to undergo a major overhaul.
The Air Transport Wing (ATW) is an important element of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Earlier this year, it celebrated its 39th anniversary.
It has however deteriorated over the years, creating a 20 year gap that must be narrowed.
The rebuilding of the ATW is just one of many rebuilding programs undertaken by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
Secretary of PNGDF, John Porti expects the outcome will set the pace for other programs to follow.
All programs undertaken will be strictly guided by the Defence White Paper.
Bilateral assistance has helped kept the Air Transport Wing going. Porti is hopeful the government will support the PNGDF in fully rebuilding the capacity of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
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