PAF opens bid for plane parts

THE DEPARTMENT of National Defense (DND) is purchasing P40-million worth of spare parts and ground equipment for its three brand new C-295 Airbus medium lift aircraft.

The DND made the announcement as it opened the P40.2-million contract to bidders who had completed two contracts similar to the project in the last five years.

The contract involves the purchase of 47 line items of aircraft ground support equipment as additional integrated logistics support for the C-295 aircraft.

Project funds will be sourced from the military’s Modernization Act trust fund.

In 2015, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) received three C-295 aircraft delivered from Spain by Airbus Defense and Space.

The three aircraft cost P5.3 billion.

The first plane in arrived in March 2015, with the second coming in September and the third in December last year. The PAF’s 220th Airlift Wing operates and maintains the aircraft.

The C-295 Airbus is categorized as a medium lift aircraft, similar to the Fokker F-27 of the 220th Airlift Wing.

It can carry up to 20,000 pounds of cargo, or 71 passengers, 50 paratroopers and 24 stretchers with seven attendants.

A pre-bid conference will be held on April 29, at 10 a.m., at the DND bids and awards committee conference room in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Bidders have until May 11 to submit their bids, while the winning bidder would have to deliver the items within 60 days.