The president of the Council of Ministers, Luis Arroyo appears before the Defense Commission of the Congress of the Republic to report the situation in which he finds himself the purchase of F-16 fighter aircraft.
The president of the Council of Ministers, Luis Arroyo appears before the Defense Commission of the Congress of the Republic to report the situation in which he finds himself the purchase of F-16 fighter aircraft.
The Chief of Staff is accompanied by the Ministers of Defense, Amadeo Flores and the chancellor, Carlos Pareja.
After a first and brief intervention, Arroyo said that the purchase of the planes had occurred within the time strictly established in the schedule, and that it was a “need that cannot be postponed.”
“Our current combat fleet composed of Mirage 2000 and Mig29 aircraft were incorporated in the 80s and 90s. These aircraft played a fundamental role in national defense. However, over the decades, accelerated technological evolution and sustained investment limitations have led to obsolescence, so much so that in 2014, the State made a strategic decision to recognize this critical gap and establish the need to acquire new combat aircraft,” he began by saying.
“From here, very rigorous technical evaluations, international comparative analyzes and investment proposals are developed that, due to various fiscal, political and conjunctural factors, could not be materialized. Today the useful life of our aircraft is close to its limit, operational availability is more restricted, and the country’s air deterrence capacity is compromised. “We are not facing an optional decision but rather an urgent need linked to the national sovereignty and security of the Peruvian state.”he continued.
However, Arroyo asked the president of said commission Karol Paredesthat the session continues in a confidential manner, due to the sensitive nature of the information being handled.
(Photos: Julio Reaño @photo.gec)
