The Dedicated Rural Fire Fighting Device (DECIR) will be reinforced on Monday with 11 fewer aircraft than expected, the Air Force said this Sunday, saying it was leasing seven helicopters by direct agreement.
The DECIR for this year was introduced in April with 34 air resources for the period from 15 to 31 May, when the first replenishment of the resources of the year occurs.
However, in a reply to Lusa, the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) indicates that “currently 23 aircraft are guaranteed” for Monday, to which nine more aircraft will be added “as soon as all administrative formalities are completed and the relevant agreements are signed”, a total of 32 .
DECIR provides for a new increase in aircraft assets on June 1, and according to the FAP, 37 aircraft assets are guaranteed by this date, with another 28 aircraft to be added “once all administrative formalities and contracts are signed.”
In June, when all aviation resources are activated, 65 aircraft will be available to fight the fires, which is five more than in previous years, which the FAP needs.
DECIR forecasts 72 aircraft this year from June 1 to September 30, up 12 from previous years, but this number has not been reached in international public tenders conducted twice by the Air Force.
This is an open tender for the lease of 33 light helicopters for the period from 2023 to 2024 and one more for the lease of two heavy amphibious aircraft for this year and four for 2024.
In a reply to Luce, the FAP indicates that five light helicopters cannot be leased due to “not being available on the international market” and “leaving one of the suppliers”, so they will be replaced by medium helicopters.
FAP was also unable to bid for two amphibious aircraft “because they are not available on the European market and the price is twice as high as expected on other continents”, so they will be replaced by two heavy helicopters.
The Air Force adds that the replacement of the two aircraft, also known as the Canadair, has been agreed with the National Emergency Management and Civil Protection Administration (ANEPC) and “allows to minimize the shortage of amphibious aircraft in the market.”
FAP also adds that these seven aircraft will be entered into by direct agreement after consultation with various organizations, and this stage is still ongoing.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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