Walter Astudillo, Minister of Defense, must explain an interrogatory document on the purchase of 24 combat aircraft and 2 transport aircraft.
On Thursday, October 10, a group of parliamentarians presented a motion for interpellation against the representative of the Ministry of Defense (Mindef), Walter Astudilloto respond about the purchase of 24 fighter aircraft through internal debt and 2 transport planes, one being the supposed replacement of the presidential plane used by Dina Boluarte.
Also, he must respond to the purchase of 10,000 rifles from the State of Israel and the transfer of inmates to the Challapalca prison. Likewise, about the state of the borders, the forest fires that ended up affecting various regions of Peru and about the participation of the Armed Forces in the state of emergency in the 13 districts of Lima and one in Callao.
Motion for interpellation against the Minister of Defense, Walter Astudillo. Photo: diffusion
Executive justifies the purchase of war planes
At a press conference, the Prime Minister, Gustavo Adrianzén, described the government’s purchase decision as “important and historic”, ensuring that all Peruvians should rejoice because “we are finally giving importance to investments designed with a State vision.”
He added that the value of the acquisition of the 24 ships would have an estimate of no less than 3.5 billion dollars, which would be financed through credits granted by the Banco de la Nación and through the issuance of Sovereign Bonds in the local market. Nearly $2 billion would be allocated to the 2025 National Budget, while the rest to the 2026 budget.
What is the current fleet of aircraft of the Peruvian Air Force?
To date, according to specialized military sources, Peru has 12 Mirage 2000 aircraft manufactured by Dassault, a French company. In 2021, 8.5 million dollars were invested in its maintenance. Peru’s combat fleet also includes Russian MiG-29 and Belarusian Sukhoi-27 aircraft acquired in 1997. Most of these are inoperable or in reserve.
