By GEORGINA MICHAEL
THE Department of Defence on Wednesday, September 23, signed a major contract valued at more than K30.7 million with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for Phase Two of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s (PNGDF) CASA CN235 P2-502 recovery program.
The contract was signed at Government House in the presence of Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae, Indonesian Ambassador to PNG and other stakeholders.
Secretary for Defence Hari John Akipe said the aircraft is expected to leave for Indonesia once the necessary requirements have been met.
“One of the requirements is to make sure we disburse 40 percent of the total contract value as down payment to allow the contractor to mobilise in time for the plane to be here to support the 2027 National General Election,” Mr Akipe said.
Following the down payment, the P2-502 will be ferried to PTDI’s facility in Bandung, Indonesia, where it will undergo seven months of servicing.
Acting Chief of Force Preparation, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Miro, confirmed that a PNGDF team would accompany the aircraft to Indonesia.
“A team organised by our lead CASA Project Officer will be accompanying the aircraft, and there will also be a team undergoing training while the aircraft undergoes maintenance to bring the aircraft back,” he said.
Mr Akipe also said the Defence Council had approved and recommended to the National Executive Council the recovery of CASA P2-501 and the acquisition of a new CASA C295 aircraft.
He acknowledged the support of PNG’s development and defence partners during the eight years the CASA fleet had been grounded.
“With the absence of CASA, we have been supported by the Australian Defence Force to do all the heavy lifting in the country, which we are very thankful for,” he said.
The aircraft is expected to return to Port Moresby by June 2027, restoring the PNGDF’s medium airlift capability ahead of the 2027 National General Election.