Defense justifies the sale of helicopters to Peru for 100 euros: their maintenance was more expensive

MADRID, 27 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The maintenance and expenses of demilitarization and custody of the SH-3D helicopters was more expensive than their sale to Peru for a symbolic price of one hundred euros for each of the devices, 600 euros in total.

This is how the Government justifies it in a parliamentary response to deputy Pablo Cambronero, collected by Europa Press. The operation was authorized by the Council of Ministers at the beginning of October for its transfer to Peru together with a package of spare parts.

These are six SH-3D 'Sea King' helicopters of the Navy that were already discharged in June this year after an operational life dedicated to the Aircraft Flotilla.

The Government assured after the approval of the transfer that the sale did not put the operation of the Armed Forces at risk, and this is repeated to the deputy belonging to the Mixed Group, a former member of Ciudadanos, as the entry into service of the planned units is soon contemplated of the fleet of SH-60F helicopters, which have an average cost per device of 20 million euros.

The Government maintains that the obsolescence of the material, its high repair cost, transport costs, limited marketing opportunities and, consequently, its low market value must be taken into account.

For this reason, it agreed to sell it to Peru for a "symbolic price" of 600 euros, "a symbolic figure reached based on the clear logistical benefit it entails for the Navy, by facilitating a final destination for this material," Defense justified.

But in addition, he maintains that this transaction serves to "strengthen the fluid and trusting relationship between the Navy and the Peruvian Navy."

In the letter transferred to Congress, the Government recalls that the purchase of these aircraft was made 56 years ago and insists that their life and residual value in the market must be taken into account. If they had not been alienated, he explains that the Ministry of Defense would have had to bear the cost of demilitarization and custody.

In addition, it emphasizes that the costs of moving the aircraft are borne by the buyer. "Currently it is a material with high maintenance costs due to the low availability of spare parts, the limited useful life of the material and the obsolescence of the platform for its operational use", he justifies.