Everything indicates that the plans to restore the capabilities of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) are serious this time, considering that in just under a month several systems have already been put into flying condition. Indeed, the new Commander General of the institution, Air Force General Carlos Enrique Chávez Cateriano, is showing his modern and executive style, initiating the reactivation and overhaul of aircraft that have been waiting for years.
The first was the repair of a Viking Air DHC-6-300NG Twin Otter transport aircraft of the 42nd Air Group, based in the Amazonian city of Iquitos, which today flies in support of the Piura region, in an emergency due to the rains. And a few days ago, a Mil Mi-35P combat helicopter (out of service for a long time) from the No. 2 Air Group in Arequipa was put into flight condition so that it could be flown to Lima to modernise its cockpit.
Specialists from the Maintenance Service (SEMAN Peru) and the Electronics Service (SELEC), whom General Chávez Cateriano knows very well from his former command, are participating in these tasks.
The comprehensive modernisation programme of the Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft for the No. 11 Air Group, which has been too slow in terms of deliveries, is expected to be accelerated.
However, the main challenge is to strengthen the air combat capability of the coming decades, with the current FAP command tasked with laying the foundations for the future weapon system to replace the Dassault Mirage 2000P/DP and RSK MiG-29 SMP.
*Cover photo: An RSK MiG-29 SMP of the FAP approaches the runway at Las Palmas air base in February 2019, one of its last appearances in Lima – Lewis Mejia for Zona Militar.
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