Page 21 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

Subscribe to www.airforcesmonthly.com
for breaking news stories. E-mail the news team
at edafm@keypublishing.com

Colombia acquires two more Kfirs Upgraded
Argentine

Twin Otter
delivered

A THIRD upgraded
DHC-6 Twin Otter 200,
T-89, was recently
delivered by the Área
Material Quilmes (AMQ,
Quilmes Material
Area) to the Fuerza
Above: This year’s F-AIR (Feria Aeronáutica Internacional) Colombia show at Rionegro Airport from July 13-16 included various Aérea Argentina (FAA,
FAC aircraft displayed with special colour schemes incorporating an eagle motif. These included single-seat Kfi r C10 FAC 3060 Argentine Air Force).
operated by Escuadrón de Combate 111. Raymond van Dijkhuizen Viking Air, which
THE FUERZA Aérea FAC 3009 will serve with Mirage 5CODM fleet, series of losses, the FAC holds the Twin Otter’s
type certificate, has
Colombiana (FAC, Escuadrón de Combate which was retired in was reduced to just one
Colombian Air Force) has 111 at Olano Alemán air 2010. However, it was surviving two-seat Kfir recognised AMQ as
an authorised service
acquired a pair of two- base, better known as determined the two TC12 in service, which
seat Kfir TC12 combat Palanquero. Previously Kfirs could be purchased was insufficient to keep centre for military Twin
Otter 100, 200 and
trainers from Israel. the FAC had contemplated for approximately the pilots trained on the type.
Serials FAC 3008 and returning to service the same cost. Following a Juan Carlos Cicalesi 300 series aircraft.
The upgrade includes
Uruguay receives Skymasters from Chile more powerful 620shp
(456kW) PT6A-27
engines, Rockwell
Collins avionics, GPS,
THE AVIACIÓN Naval Garmin LCD screens,
Uruguaya (ANU, Uruguayan Bendix weather radar,
Naval Aviation) has new communication
confirmed acceptance systems, Cleveland
of three Cessna O-2A Wheel & Brake landing
Skymaster observation gear and braking
aircraft offered by the systems (as used on
Chilean Navy. The the 400 series) and
Uruguayan Navy has now three-blade Hartzell
begun obtaining approval ‘paddle’ propellers.
for the transfer from the Previously, T-85 was
US government and, once upgraded at Viking Air’s
achieved, the Uruguayan facilities in Canada,
government will be formally while AMQ upgraded
able to accept the donation. T-82 and T-87 for the
As a result of budget Antonio Beghello FAA and AE-106 for the
constraints the ANU is Argentine Army. T-89
currently experiencing two Super King Air 200Ts Turbo Mentors used as remain in operation: takes the AMQ work for
one of the most critical available for patrol and primary trainers with a one Bo105-PAH1 and the FAA to three aircraft.
periods since its search and rescue tasks, limited attack capacity. one AS355-F2 Esquilo . Juan Carlos Cicalesi
establishment, with just together with two T-34-C1 Only two helicopters Juan Carlos Cicalesi
Brazilian Navy Argentina begins training on P2002JF
to receive
KC-2 in 2021
THE MARINHA do Brasil
(Brazilian Navy) is due
to receive four KC-2
Turbo Trader carrier
on-board delivery (COD)
and aerial refuelling
aircraft in 2021. The first
two are to be handed
over between April and
July 2021, followed by
the remaining pair in
October the same year.
Brazil acquired Tecnam
eight former US Navy
C-1A Trader aircraft THE FUERZA Aérea Escuela de Aviación includes candidates Argentina sent two
in 2010. Four are to Argentina (FAA, Argentine Militar (Military Aviation for the Argentine Air P2002JFs to the Escuela
be modernised and Air Force) has begun School) in Córdoba. Force, Argentine Naval de Aviación Militar for
reconfigured by Elbit in training cadets on the The aircraft are supplied Aviation and Argentine evaluation. The Tecnam
the US, and a maiden Tecnam P2002JF. A solo by Tecnam via Aerotec Army Aviation. type was selected in
flight is now planned for flight ceremony for the Argentina and provide the Early last year the FAA September, and the FAA
2019, having slipped from first 34 cadets trained first step in pilot training began studies to acquire a confirmed a contract for
November this year. on the new aircraft was on the Joint Basic Course new basic training aircraft. lease with an option to
staged on July 5 at the of Military Aviator, which In May last year, Aerotec purchase eight aircraft.

www.airforcesmonthly.com #354 SEPTEMBER 2017 // 21