Auditors from the Comptroller’s Office issued observations to the technical file prepared by the Peruvian Air Force (FAP)on updated proposals for the acquisition of a fleet of 24 combat aircraft.
The validation of the controlling body is an essential requirement that must be satisfactorily fulfilled, before the FAP sends the information of the requirement to the Armed Forces Purchasing Agency (ACFFAA), in charge of negotiating with the foreign company whose offer is in accordance with the technical requirements of the user entity (FAP) and fits with the budget approved by the Peruvian State.
Without offering further details, sources from the Comptroller’s Office and the Ministry of Defense confirmed to The Republic that observations were issued to the file of the FAP Technical Operational Study Committee (CETO), on the three models offered that have been taken into consideration by the experts of the military institute: the Rafale, from the French Dassault, the F-16 Block 70, from the American Lockheed Martin, and the Gripen E/F, from the Swedish SAAB.
The sources of the control body indicated that the observations warranted the formulation of questions to the FAP, which have already been answered within the corresponding period, so a report will be issued shortly.
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In the case of the Ministry of Defense, the sources indicated that the technical committee complied with providing the Comptroller’s Office with the required information and that the hiring process was continuing.
“The procedure is to send the report to the Comptroller’s Office. There were some observations, but in form, none of substance, because this entity does not specialize in fighter aircraft technology. The FAP solved everything and follows the regular procedure in accordance with current regulations,” the sources said.
It cannot be overlooked that the intervention of the Comptroller’s Office occurred amid speculation about the choice of the offer. Defense Ministry sources confirmed that the procurement process has not yet reached the point of choosing the model.
Precisely, one of the observations of the Comptroller’s Office would be that the FAP presented a technical study with three offers (F-16, Gripen and Rafale), with economic proposals and different quantities of aircraft.
What the armed institute was asked is to indicate which of the three proposals is in accordance with the Public Investment Project (PIP) and with the US$3.5 billion budget approved by Congress for the acquisition of a fleet of 24 war aircraft. It is understood that according to the rules, the FAP Technical Operational Study Committee (CETO) must support an offer that matches the parameters of the PIP and the budget law that received the approval of the Legislative Branch.
However, some changes have occurred.
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Some sources indicated that During the government of former president Dina Boluarte there was an alleged inclination towards the Swedish offer of the Gripen E/F. And now the proposal for the F-16 Block 70 has gained strength.
In reality, the sudden replacement of Dina Boluarte by José Jerí Oré at the head of the Peruvian State represented an opportunity for the United States, France and Sweden to improve their proposals.
In fact, this Friday, December 12, the representative of the French factory Dassault, Frederic Marc, held meetings at the Ministry of Defense to expand the offer from 10 to 18 units of the Rafael fighter, and to expand the advantages of industrial and social compensation for Peru (“offset”).
In the case of the F-16 Block 70, diplomatic support is very intense. Washington has sent delegations of officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to Lima to cooperate in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.
Added to this is the announcement of the visit of the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who will undoubtedly take the opportunity to support Lockheed Martin’s proposal.
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The version circulates in the Ministry of Defense that the F-16 Block 70 It is the best option. However, on September 15 of this year, the US State Department announced the authorization for the sale to Peru of 12 units of F-16 Block 70 for US$3.42 billion.
The The number of combat aircraft proposed by the United States government is 50% less than the 24 aircraft that the FAP needs.
It also does not match the US$3.5 billion of the PIP and the budget approved by Congress. He The Peruvian government would have to have at least US$7 billion to complete a fleet of 24 F-16 Block fighters.
So far, the government of President José Jerí, although it supports the renewal of the FAP’s war air fleet, has not mentioned that it will present to Congress a proposal to increase the budget allocated to the acquisition of combat aircraft, specifically F-16 Block 70.
The Government Palace has said much less that due to a political decision during Jerí’s mandate only 12 units will be purchased, and that the next government would be in charge of completing the fleet of 24.
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The same thing happens with the initiative of the French company Dassault, which is now proposing 18 Rafale units, apparently for US$3.5 billion. The FAP needs 24 units for that figure.
Precisely the report of the FAP Operational Technical Study Committee (CETO), which has been sent to the Comptroller’s Office, takes into consideration the improvements in the offers from SAAB, Dassault and Lockheed Martin.
In the case of Sweden, the recent announcement to reopen its embassy in Lima expresses confidence that the Peruvian government will hire the company SAAB, producer of the Gripen E/F. The This company’s offer of 24 fighters for US$3.5 billion is so far the one that most closely matches the requirement of the Peruvian Stateboth in technical and economic terms.
When the FAP resolves the observations of the Comptroller’s Office, then the technical file will enter the scope of the Armed Forces Purchasing Agency (ACFFAA). This body will then proceed to begin the contracting process through the Government-to-Government modality, through the formation of the Technical Work Team and the Negotiation Committee.
However, the Jerí government could issue a Supreme Decree declaring the acquisition of the war air fleet according to the sole supplier formula of national interest. That is, designated directly to the supplier company. This happens when “the object of contract can only be obtained from a certain supplier in the foreign market”, in accordance with the provisions of the ACFFAA. These are the rules.
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The political decision of the acquisition is maintained
- The sudden succession of Dina Boluarte by José Jerí made the United States, Sweden and France doubt the continuity of the contracting process for 24 fighters.
- However, the Government Palace gave guarantees that the political decision was maintained, with the support of Congress, to continue with the technical studies and evaluation of the proposals of foreign governments.
- “If it had a particular preference, the government could have made it public a while ago, but it respects the rules regarding military contracting,” said a source close to the Ministry of Defense: “In addition, the entire process is under the gaze of the Comptroller’s Office.”
