Only five helicopters of Georgian Border Police remain in working condition - audit
The State Audit Service, based on the results of the audit, stated that the Georgian Border Police's aircraft fleet is in poor condition, BM.ge reported.
According to the report, the Border Police has 13 helicopters, of which seven are out of service - in repair, one is a mock-up, and only five helicopters can fly. The Border Police also has two aircraft - both are technically faulty.
Most of the air fleet is Russian-made, manufactured in 1987-1992, with an original service life of 30 years, which was later extended to 40 years by the manufacturer.
Overhaul of such aircraft, in addition to significant budget funds, requires the establishment of contractual relations with the relevant enterprises of the Russian Federation, which makes overhaul virtually impossible, notes the audit.
The need for specialized fire-fighting and rescue helicopters for Georgia has been an issue for a long time. Last summer Georgia had to use Border Police helicopters to extinguish forest fires and ask for help from Turkey, whose fire-fighting helicopters extinguished the fire in Borjomi forest area.
Georgian Border Police helicopters have also been used in other emergencies, and one of them crashed last summer during a rescue operation in Gudauri along with its crew and doctors.
At the end of last year, the Georgian Interior Ministry signed a contract for the supply of three multifunctional fire-fighting and rescue helicopters with the French company Airbus Helicopters. It is about three H145 helicopters, the total cost of which is about 26.5 million euros.
In return, the Georgian side under the deal will hand over to the French company Super Puma helicopter, which was purchased several years ago, which will save 5.5 million euros. All three new helicopters are to be delivered to Georgia within 20 months. The contract includes insurance, spare parts and crew training.
newsgeorgia.ge
Tags:
Only five helicopters of Georgian Border Police remain in working condition - audit
The State Audit Service, based on the results of the audit, stated that the Georgian Border Police's aircraft fleet is in poor condition, BM.ge reported.
According to the report, the Border Police has 13 helicopters, of which seven are out of service - in repair, one is a mock-up, and only five helicopters can fly. The Border Police also has two aircraft - both are technically faulty.
Most of the air fleet is Russian-made, manufactured in 1987-1992, with an original service life of 30 years, which was later extended to 40 years by the manufacturer.
Overhaul of such aircraft, in addition to significant budget funds, requires the establishment of contractual relations with the relevant enterprises of the Russian Federation, which makes overhaul virtually impossible, notes the audit.
The need for specialized fire-fighting and rescue helicopters for Georgia has been an issue for a long time. Last summer Georgia had to use Border Police helicopters to extinguish forest fires and ask for help from Turkey, whose fire-fighting helicopters extinguished the fire in Borjomi forest area.
Georgian Border Police helicopters have also been used in other emergencies, and one of them crashed last summer during a rescue operation in Gudauri along with its crew and doctors.
At the end of last year, the Georgian Interior Ministry signed a contract for the supply of three multifunctional fire-fighting and rescue helicopters with the French company Airbus Helicopters. It is about three H145 helicopters, the total cost of which is about 26.5 million euros.
In return, the Georgian side under the deal will hand over to the French company Super Puma helicopter, which was purchased several years ago, which will save 5.5 million euros. All three new helicopters are to be delivered to Georgia within 20 months. The contract includes insurance, spare parts and crew training.
newsgeorgia.ge
Tags:
