The contract includes around 52 million dollars.
On the verge of finishing in 2024, The controversy continues over the maintenance of the Mi-17 helicopters of the National Armywhose fleet remains largely inoperable. This is framed in the decision of the Civil Aeronautics to authorize the company MI Series Personnel & Parts LLC, whose headquarters are in Miami, to carry out repairs and maintenance on aircraft.
The contract It is valued at around $52 million.and the controversy began with some technical visits to the Tolemaida military base, where the Mi-17 helicopters are located. Within the framework of the process, several national and foreign companies made their proposals to take on the work that would restore the functionality of the aircraft.
However, to this are added complaints, already filed with the Attorney General’s Office in which warns of alleged regulatory breaches and “undue favor” to the company in question.
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“The companies that presented their offers to the Ministry of Defense have not received formal communication about the status of their proposals; despite the fact that some of these companies have repeatedly requested the Vice Minister of Strategy and Planning, Dr. Luis Edmundo Suárez, and the Logistics Directorate of the entity, Dr. Mario Andrés García Carrión, some explanation about the status of the process,” states the complaint dated November 28.
Part of the controversy involves that a group of Army technicians had supposedly reached Florida, United States, to carry out a technical inspection at the facilities of said company.
However, the decision of the highest aviation authority continues to raise doubts due to the promptness with which a workshop linked to the company would have been certified to carry out the so-called ‘overhaul’, that is, the inspection and maintenance of the aircraft. For its part, the Russian manufacturer of the Mi-17 sent a letter in which it stated that MI Series Personnel & Parts LLC did not fully comply with the technical conditions to assume those functions.
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The entire controversy surrounding this contract continues to generate growing concern not only within the aeronautical sector but also in the public spectrum. The above, taking into account the value of the contract and the possible consequences in terms of security and transparency on resources.