Engineers are currently conducting a comprehensive examination of the two Britten-Norman Islanders acquired by government for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon.
Responding to a question during a post-Cabinet press briefing last Friday, Harmon said the inspection has delayed the use of the aircraft but he has assured that within “a short space of time they will be up and flying.”
Earlier this year, the National Assembly approved $484.2 million in extra budgetary funds to facilitate the acquisition of the two reconditioned planes along with two Skyvans.
Observers have expressed concerns that the planes are yet to take to the skies and were questioning the delay. The two planes were commissioned in August this year.
Harmon, in response, said that since the islanders were bought, the engineers at the air corps had decide to do a “C Check,” which involved taking the aircraft apart to “check every part.” He said that this process is ongoing but anticipates that it will be completed soon.
“As you know safety is a major consideration for us and we would not want anything to go wrong when our soldiers… or ministers of the government… have to fly in these aircraft,” he stressed.
“Checks were done before the aircraft were purchased,” he added.
Harmon said that he is aware that the two Skyvans, which are being sourced from Belgium, have not yet arrived. He anticipates that they will be in Guyana early in 2019.
The purchase of the aircraft was a decision taken at the level of the Defence Board.
Concerns have been raised about the cost attached to the aircraft given their age and the potential difficulty in sourcing parts.
The models are no longer being manufactured. The Islanders were first manufactured in 1976, while Skyvans were first manufactured in 1977. The planes will be used mainly for troop transport, parachuting and cargo services.
While the four aircraft will be assigned to the GDF, other Joint Services agencies will have access to them to conduct aerial surveillance.
