Beja: New Air Force helicopters out fires, reveals Defense Minister.


The two new AW119 Koala helicopters, which were delivered to the last Portuguese Air Force (FAP), Air Base (BA) 11, in Beja, the Minister of Defense "are not part of" the Rural Fire Fighting Device (TELL).

João Gomes Cravinho explained that "can act in an emergency exceptional situation", taking into account the intended tasks of FAP, including "search and rescue and training", this despite the "combat support to rural fire", although the minister has made this reference in his speech.

As for the remaining three Koala, which will replace the six Alouettes service today, there is still no date set.

The holder of Defense folder, He maintained that DECIR "is identified by the ANPC, which will this year 61 air assets "despite being the Air Force will have" control and management "of the same, and when asked about why no integration Cravinho shot: "You will have to ask the ANPC", concluded.

For 2019 the Government has, according to the minister, "Twenty-two state air resources" and more "thirty-nine rented", explaining that "with these means" the DECIR "will have no problems", finished.

As for the six Kamov, Defense Minister revealed that "are not calculated for 2019. One is injured and others need overhauls that take many months ", adding that the two competitions are open "with the first Alouette helicopters and the second with a lot of very extended means", ensuring that the selection "will be made later this month", justified.

João Gomes Cravinho proved to be convinced that "between 2020 and 2022, we will begin to form the state's own fleet to combating rural fire ".

When asked about the location of fire-fighting fleet in DECIR this year, Cravinho explained that "the decision is not yet taken, but they should be spread out over several points (read: Air Bases) from the country, to operate where there is fire ", said.

For new air assets, Defense Minister revealed to be shifted to the Sintra Base, "Military readjustment of FAP, to increase the capacity of the Lisbon Airport, of which arises from the future Complementary Lisbon Airport, Montijo no ", finished.

loose sentences of João Gomes Cravinho

"This year the device to Combat Rural Fire level d air assets will cost 80 million euros ".

"The five helicopters Koala cost 20 million, We have option for two more, but only we will take a decision at the end of the year correte ".

"The future of Military Programming Act will bring not only new capabilities to the armed forces, but also opportunities in relation to the development of partnerships in the technological and industrial area ".

Teixeira Correia

(journalist)


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