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The Papua New Guinea Defense Force will purchase four short landing planes that can use the rural airstrips. The planes will be inspected by the PNG army in New Zealand during the upcoming bilateral talks in Wellington.
PNGDF Commander Gilbert Toropo announced the acquisition of four PAC 750 landing planes which will cost KK 60 million.
He says the funding was committed by the PNG government.
Toropo says these planes are ideal for landing conditions at most rural airstrips in Papua New Guinea.
Therefore, the planes will aid in operations in border areas where routine on-call troops can easily enter.
The plane will also facilitate the transport of equipment to rural posts.
The purchase of the planes is in line with the 2013 Defense White Paper which suggests enhancing the capabilities of the Air Force as one of the areas for overhaul of the PNG Defense Force.
Currently, the PNGDF Airlift Wing (ATW) is planning to upgrade its current fleet which consists of two planes and two helicopters.
In a recent interview, ATW’s director of flight operations Col. Ron Hosea said that in order to comply with administrative instructions to increase the force’s strength, they would need at least one squadron of planes on the listing.
This means that the PNGDF would need to acquire six planes and six helicopters to meet the transport and logistics needs of the PNG Defense Force. PNG Today / PNGloop
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