DIRECTOR-GENERAL of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, said it would be more economical for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to sell its Bell-412 Helicopter than to repair it.

Over the weekend, the GDF announced the sale of the unserviceable Bell Helicopter. In the advertisement, it detailed the Bell 412, registration – 8RGFP, Year – 1982, and serial no. 33040.

At a post cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday, the Director-General said the decision to sell the unserviceable Bell Helicopter was taken at the level of the Guyana Defence Board.

He said given the helicopter’s current state, it would be difficult for the GDF to rehabilitate it.

“This is an aircraft that has been unserviceable for close to 10 years now, so there is no possibility right now of the GDF making that helicopter serviceable again to fly in a commercial way,” he explained while fielding questions from reporters.

Once sold, he said the Defence Force would be able to source new equipment. “The expense is so much that it might be easier for the GDF to sell that helicopter and to purchase newer equipment,” he pointed out.

“There are private entities who have similar types of aircraft and who might be in a better position to take what is there and to rehabilitate it and get it going,” Harmon added.
Already, there have been several expressions of interest for the purchase of the Bell-412. “There has been some interest expressed in the purchase of the helicopter and we trust that we would be able to get that completely very shortly,” Harmon said.