Police to get 3 new aircrafts
Police will receive two helicopters and a fixed-wing plane this year
Kampala. Police will receive two helicopters and a fixed-wing plane this year.
The two helicopters, still undergoing assembling and testing in Italy, were bought by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for police mid last year.
The police chief, Gen Kale Kayihura, who visited the works in Italy last week, confirmed that the helicopters and plane will be flown to Uganda in May.
“We got two helicopters [A Grand New and W-3A Sokół helicopters], made by a polish company, PZL-Świdnik, and a fixed-wing plane. I think that is not bad enough for a start. We are also repairing one helicopter to bring the number to four,” Gen Kayihura told Daily Monitor.
Police have not disclosed the amount they spent on the aircrafts.
Relieved
The Force has had no functioning helicopter since March 2010, when their helicopter crashed in Bugiri District while transporting former prime minister Apolo Nsibambi.
However, National Insurance Corporation compensated the police to the tune of Shs8 billion.
Pilots for the new aircrafts are part of the 788 police cadets who were passed out this month.
Gen Kayihura said they procured helicopters with two engines on each because they can manoeuvre tough territories, unlike the one that crashed, which had one engine.
The W-3A Sokol. According to PZL-Świdnik, the maker of helicopters, W-3A Sokol (like the one above) is an intermediate twin engine helicopter which is “highly effective, rugged and reliable, capable of operating in all types of climates and environmental conditions. The chopper will be equipped with a cargo hook, rescue hoist, search light, loudspeaker system, rappelling kit, FLIR and provisions for firefighting equipment and an emergency floatation system.
The W-3A Sokol’s maximum take-off weight is 6,400 kilogrammes and is capable of carrying up to 14 people, as well as cargo. It can be used in law enforcement, passenger transport, troop transport, air ambulance, search, rescue and firefighting.
The GrandNew. PZL-Świdnik website added that “the GrandNew, which will be assembled at the AgustaWestland plant in Vergiate, Italy, was chosen for its unparalleled performance and advanced technology providing superior mission capabilities and safety in adverse operating conditions. The aircraft will be equipped with a cargo hook, search light and loud speaker system.
