Embraer Legacy 600: the new era of Colombian police aviation

The Antinarcotics Directorate of the Colombian National Police (PNC) is finalizing the entry into service of its new Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 aircraft (registration PNC-0276), acquired last year.

This aircraft, purchased for US$12 million, represents a milestone in Colombian police aviation, given the operational capabilities it provides to the institution in modernizing its fleet, a fixed-wing fleet that is obsolete and extremely costly to maintain from a logistical point of view.

The amount paid for the new Legacy corresponds to those of the current market, which experienced a notable increase – close to 30% – in the prices (post-pandemic) of this type of aircraft compared to 2019.

This response to the high demand for charter or executive flights has resulted in increased orders in factories for new aircraft and an increase in the second-hand market.

QUESTIONING OF THE VALUES PAID

Colombian control agencies have questioned the values paid for the new PNC-0276 in the last few days.

However, it is important to remember that this aircraft is operated under the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which requires biannual training certifications and strict compliance with maintenance cycles and technical records, which makes it possible the aircraft’s insurance.

In fact, the purchase process by the PNC included, first, the visit of a technical committee that inspected the aircraft (for seven days at the seller’s expense) and the training of the crew in the United States for one month (at the seller’s expense), obtaining the corresponding certifications for pilots and technicians, as well as the updated manuals of the aircraft, which means that no major inspection of the unit will be necessary for at least the next 36 months.

In addition, the useful life of the components is guaranteed for 12 months from the date of entry into operation.

The whole package – and associated logistical services – represents savings for the Police of approximately US$2 million, just at a time when other Colombian government entities are strongly questioned for contracting annual charter flight services for more than US$200,000, which demonstrates the lack of justification for the questions that have been raised about the purchase process of the new police aircraft.

MODERNIZATION OF AN OBSOLETE FLEET

The incorporation of the Legacy, as well as of two ATR-42s (the next one in April), is part of two projects for the modernization of the Police’s aircraft inventory – particularly fixed-wing aircraft – which is already obsolete and costly from the point of view of maintenance for its operational maintenance.

This is because 147 aerial platforms from 11 different manufacturers distributed among 20 different lines are currently in use, which makes the logistical footprint of this institution particularly high.

Strengthening the operational capabilities of Police Aviation will, in turn, mean an increase in the possibilities of an effective response to situations that affect security or public order, as well as having the resources to respond to natural emergencies, protect environmental resources, effectively combat crimes associated with illegal mining and, of course, provide greater logistical support at the national level.

This project also seeks to increase the “immediacy opportunity” of the police service, reducing the logistical footprint by eliminating aircraft lines and increasing the maintenance and technical support capabilities of the Police Aviation.

With information from Infodefensa