Cannibalisation of PAMPAS IIs Under Consideration

Manufacture of the IA63 GT PAMPAS III prototype at Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) is stalled due to the government’s failure to fund the programme, which has led to a sever supply chain problem.

Manufacturers of critical components for the aircraft are owed close to $27 million: even if FAdeA could clear the debt immediately, there is a minimum 12-month lead time for parts. Company president Ercole Felippa and his management team are said to be considering cannibalising a number of PAMPAS II aircraft in order to complete the three PAMPAS III scheduled for delivery this year. With the airframes built under previous administrations, the major systems yet to be procured include the Honeywell TFE731-40-2N engines, Martin Baker Mk-10AR ejection seats and six analogue-digital glass cockpit screens from Elbit Systems.

Suppliers involved in the programme include Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Liebherr, Rockwell Collins, and Sagem. There is a strong probability of sales to regional powers including Bolivia, Mexico and Paraguay and possible additional sales to other nations, including Indonesia, Nigeria and South Africa.

Tim Mahon