After the scandal over the paralysis of a fleet of National Army helicopters due to lack of maintenance, the Attorney General’s Office began an inspection of the Ministry of Defense to investigate the contracting process that seeks to solve this problem.
The situation affects at least 11 Russian MI17 model helicopters that have been immobilized for months in the hangars of the Tolemaida military base. The delay in the repair and maintenance work of these aircraft has generated concern, given their strategic importance for military and humanitarian support operations.
Inspection and monitoring of the process
marcio Melgosa Torrado, First Delegate Attorney for Public service Surveillance, led the visit to the ministry of Defense and announced that an exhaustive review of the documents, preliminary studies and the contracting modality planned for this project will be carried out.
“The objective is to safeguard public resources and guarantee transparency in contracting. It also seeks to mitigate public management risks as much as possible,” said Melgosa torrado.
A process in the making
During the meeting, in which senior officials such as the Vice Minister of Strategy and Planning, Luis Edmundo Suárez, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense, Raúl Alfonso Gutiérrez, participated, it was evident that the selection process is still in a preliminary stage. This could further delay the start of the work necessary to reactivate the aircraft.
according to the Attorney General’s Office, the estimated budget for this contract amounts to 220 billion pesos. However, the lack of concrete progress raises concerns about execution times and the effectiveness of the measures adopted.
What are the main reasons behind the maintenance issues of the National Army’s MI17 helicopters?
Interview with Marcio Melgosa Torrado on Maintenance Issues of National Army Helicopters
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Melgosa Torrado. The recent issues surrounding the maintenance of the National Army’s MI17 helicopters have garnered meaningful attention. Can you provide us with an overview of the current situation?
Marcio Melgosa Torrado (MMT): Certainly. We are currently investigating the lack of maintenance that has left at least 11 Russian MI17 helicopters grounded for months at the Tolemaida military base. The Attorney General’s Office has initiated an inspection of the Ministry of Defence to review the contracting process aimed at resolving these issues.
TNE: What prompted this investigation?
MMT: The paralysis of the helicopter fleet raised serious concerns about their readiness and operational capacity, which are crucial for military and humanitarian support operations. Our goal is to ensure clarity in the contracting process and safeguard public resources.
TNE: Can you elaborate on the inspection process and what it entails?
MMT: We are conducting an exhaustive review of all relevant documents, preliminary studies, and the planned contracting modalities. We want to identify any potential risks in public management and ensure that the entire process is fair and efficient.
TNE: It sounds like a complex situation. What are the current obstacles in the reactivation of these helicopters?
MMT: The selection process for a contractor is still in its early stages, creating potential delays in the necessary maintenance work. This is concerning, especially given the strategic importance of the helicopters. Furthermore, the estimated budget for this project is around 220 billion pesos, yet we are not seeing concrete progress, which raises concerns about the execution timelines.
TNE: What implications do these delays have for both military operations and humanitarian needs?
MMT: The inability to operate these helicopters affects our military’s readiness and can have dire consequences in urgent humanitarian missions. It poses a risk to both national security and the well-being of communities that depend on timely assistance.
TNE: As an expert in this field, what practical advice would you give to ensure that this issue is resolved efficiently moving forward?
MMT: First, it is indeed imperative that all stakeholders maintain open lines of communication to expedite the selection process. Secondly, strict adherence to transparency and proper audits must be ensured throughout the contracting process. Lastly, public accountability will help mitigate risks and affirm that the resources are being managed wisely for the benefit of the nation.
TNE: Thank you, Mr. Melgosa Torrado, for your insights into this critical situation. It’s clear that addressing these maintenance issues is vital for both military readiness and public trust.
MMT: Thank you for having me. It’s essential we address these challenges head-on to ensure the effectiveness of our national defense capabilities and humanitarian responses.