The Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FPR, Lima Las Palmas)) has ordered a second hand B737-300 from Florida-based D&S Aviation, which will deliver the aircraft within 90 days of contract signature. The aircraft will join three B737-200s and a single B737-500 in FAP service.
Based on a report by Defensa.com, the contract is worth USD3.75 million.
The aircraft in question, msn 24717, was most recently operated by Ukraine’s Dream Wind Airlines (Kyiv Boryspil) where it was registered as UR-CRL. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, it was manufactured in 1990 and entered service with United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) in 1990.
The aircraft has accumulated a fair amount of use, with 57,596 flight hours and 34,600 cycles as of early May 2020.
The FAP intends to use the Boeing for passenger and equipment transport as part of its coronavirus pandemic response, according to Defensa.com. The aircraft will enter service with the 8th Air Group at the General Armando Revoredo Iglesias Major Base at Lima International airport, where it will join three Antonov An-32Bs, one Learjet 45XR, two Lockheed L-100-20 Hercules, and four Leonardo C-27J Spartans.
Meanwhile, Peruvian Airlines (Lima International) has placed its B737-300 and B737-400 aircraft at the disposal of Peru's defence ministry to assist with the coronavirus response, according to Take Off Magazine. The carrier suspended scheduled operations in October 2019.
The FAP uses some of its B737s for VIP/presidential flights, although the air force’s Boeings are currently being utilised for coronavirus response.
Other transports in the FAP’s fleet include two de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300s and eleven DHC-6-400s.
The Latin American nation has been expanding its transport fleet recently, and earlier this year received an An-32B for its navy from Russia’s Ural Avia to replace another that was lost in an October 2017 accident, according to Monch. Peru has shown interest in acquiring eight additional C-27Js, six more DHC-6-400 Twin Otters from Canada’s Viking Air (VKN, Victoria International) and 29 additional Russian Helicopters Mi-17 helicopters. These would be split across the army, navy and air force.
