MI-17 helicopter repair tender delayed further?
The implementation of a Cabinet-approved tender to repair 04 MI-17 helicopters belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SMH 599, SMH 596, SMH 588 and SMH 4416) is reportedly facing further delays.
The tender has reportedly been awarded to M/s Winsley Defence Group D.O.O., Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with M/s Securatec Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as its local agent.
According to Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) sources, although the SLAF has around 20 Russian-made MI-17 multi-purpose helicopters, most if them have remained grounded due to a lack of proper maintenance over the past 15 years since the end of the war.
The helicopters have provided vital services for years, including military operations and civilian rescue missions during disasters such as floods.
However, only a few MI-17 helicopters are currently operational in Sri Lanka, while another 03 have reportedly been deployed to Africa for UN peacekeeping operations.
Successive governments have attempted for around 04 years to send the helicopters for repairs.
However, the Russia-Ukraine war, US sanctions against Russia and delays in securing the foreign currency required for repairs have reportedly prevented the helicopters from being sent to Russia or to a Russian-licensed company in another country.
Following Cyclone Ditwah, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had instructed the Ministry of Defence to expedite repairs to the helicopters.
Complaint lodged with CIABOC
Meanwhile, a complaint has reportedly been lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding the awarding of a contract to a Georgian company that allegedly failed to meet certain technical and regulatory requirements.
Four conditions had been stipulated when calling for bids, including a requirement to obtain official approval from the aviation authority of the relevant country for the repair of these helicopters.
However, the complaint pointed out that at the time of awarding the tender, the company had submitted only a letter stating that there was no objection.
According to that letter, the registration of these helicopters had been suspended from May 10, 2022, as indicated by the relevant aviation authority.
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