CASA P2-502 TO BE READY BEFORE 2027 ELECTION

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

THE PNG Defence Force Casa aircraft P2-502 will be ready for operations before the 2027 National General Election and will assist with election operations.

Commander of the Defence Force, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, said this yesterday after the signing of the recovery contract.

The Government signed Contract NPC 2026-32 (NPC 185 of 2026) for the Procurement and Major Servicing of P2-502.

The contract, valued at over 6.8 million US Dollar (approximately K38 million) and fully funded by the Government of PNG, was awarded to PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), an Indonesian state-owned aerospace company and the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the CN235 aircraft.

The contract was officially endorsed at Government House by the Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, on behalf of the State.

Secretary of the Department of Defence, Hari John Akipe, said the contract was cleared by the Solicitor General, is Legally on Order under the National Procurement Commission (NPC), and will run for 12 months.

He said the first 40 percent of funds will be released upfront with the balance to follow based on project milestones.

This signing is for Phase Two of the Casa Recovery Programme. Phase One has already been completed at the Air Transport Wing in Port Moresby, involving engine restart and ground testing after almost 10 years on the ground.

Under Phase Two, the aircraft will be flown to PTDI’s facility in Bandung, Indonesia for a full C-Check and heavy overhaul.

Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Okto Dorinus Manik, said Indonesia is happy to partner with PNG because it strengthens bilateral relations between the two neighbours.