In it Interpellation document from Congress to the Minister of DefenseWalter Astudillo Chávez, includes questions about the in-depth review and repair contracts (overhaul) of 8 Russian-made helicopters of the Peruvian Air Force and another 3 of the Army Aviation. Two contracts for the rehabilitation of 4 FAP aircraft and 4 from the Army were awarded to the company Helicentro Perú, of Colombian capital, for S/200.9 million. And it was the turn of the Russian company Milenium Veladi an Army contract for S/77.2 million for the overhaul of 3 helicopters.
The difference is that Helicentro Perú does not have the certification of the Russian Mi helicopter factory and repair plants. On the other hand, Milenium Veladi did present the documents, because it is part of the Russian state conglomerate for the supply of equipment and services.
The owner ofl Mindef must explain why the Army and the FAP They have applied a double standard in awarding major repairs to Russian helicopters: in some cases they did not require certifications and in others they did. As a result, 72% of the total contracts were awarded to the company Helicentro Perú, which lacks the certificates of the manufacturers and repair plants.
The controversy arose when some media outlets reported that it was not possible to have the necessary helicopters to combat the forest fire saga, because the contracted companies had not delivered the aircraft according to the contract deadlines. In reality, Helicentro Perú had completed the work, and Milenium Veladi has advanced more than 70%.
A QUESTION OF FUNDAMENTAL
As reported by La República, representatives of Milenium Veladi requested an addendum to postpone the delivery date of three units of Mi-171Sh-P, Mi-171Sh and Mi8-MTV1, giving the conflict with Ukraine as an explanation. There are parts of the aircraft that had to be sent to the Russian Federation, so the war has postponed the deadlines.
But what is striking is how Helicentro Perú was able to fulfill the contracts before the Russians, who are the certified manufacturers and repairers. Military sources consulted by La República indicated that not having Russian certifications helped them.
The representative of Helicentro Perú, Juan Castro Ventosillain a written communication acknowledged that “our company never claimed to have said certification.” And he indicated that for overhaul work on Russian helicopters, “the OMA Certification No. 042, issued by the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), (of Peru), was sufficient, which allows us to offer the overhaul service for helicopters.” throughout the national territory.”
BIG DIFFERENCES
However, it is not the same. The military sources indicated that during the acquittal of the question session, Minister Walter Astudillo must report on the traceability that has been applied to determine the origin of the components and spare parts that Helicentro Perú has used in the overhaul of 4 Mi-8MTV helicopters -1 from the Army, and in the 2 Mi-171Sh, a Mi-8MTV-1 and a Mi-17-1B.
The Russian representation has already informed Mindef that the National Aeronautical Services Company (NASC) is the only one authorized to provide overhaul and components for Mi class helicopters. The firm with offices in Panama, Milenium Veladi Corp., represents NASC in Peru. Therefore, NASC is not responsible for the actions of the supplier Helicentro Perú. The safety of the helicopters and the lives of the crew are at stake.
BOX
CEMAE HEAD IS INVESTIGATED
● The head of the Army Aeronautical Maintenance Center (CEMAE), General EP Aldo Domínguez Peralta, is investigated by his institution for delays in the delivery of 3 helicopters by Milenium Veladi.
● According to sources, the purpose would be to remove Domínguez from CEMAE and thus prevent this entity from obtaining certification to become a Mi helicopter maintenance center in Peru and the region.
