Purchase of VVIP planes was overdue: minister

[hasan saleem]

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: The Senate was informed on Monday that purchase of two planes for VVIPs, including the prime minister, had become overdue, as the two planes maintained by the PAF for this purpose had completed their design life.

Minister of State for Defence Hamid Sarfaraz, while responding to a query by Enver Baig, said that the summary for replacement of VVIP planes was moved last year and it was not a recent action.

He further stated that Falcon aircraft which was serving the VVIPs had been purchased in 1972. It had outlived its design life long ago and needed replacement. Similarly, he said, the other plane, Boeing 727, had been procured in 1968 and its replacement became due after 1998. He said it had been decided that another Boeing plane which was being procured for VVIP duty should not be a new plane but a used one.

Earlier, Mr Enwar Baig, during his speech on the earthquake and its aftermath, had made a reference to a newspaper story which said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had planned to purchase two planes for himself at an exorbitant cost and at a time when the nation was mourning over the death of thousands of people.

He had asked the government to cancel the deal for the time being and wait for completion of reconstruction and rehabilitation process.

Leader of the opposition, Mian Raza Rabbani, took the floor in response to the clarification offered by the minister and said that purchase of luxurious planes at the time when the country was faced with greatest tragedy of its history and was seeking donations from across the world would amount to putting salt on wounds of the people.

He said it was matter of priorities and the report that an official team would soon leave for evaluation of the proposed planes purchase deal was a matter of concern for the people.

It is pertinent to mention here that a Boeing plane was purchased during the tenure of Nawaz Sharif but it was handed over to the PIA after his government was overthrown in a military coup in 1999.

© DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2005


When did the Airforce have a 727 ?

He propably talking about the 707s. One grounded and the other still in active operation. Usually making only sorties abroad.

[hasan saleem]

As of my knowledge the paf have Citation reg#0233, Falcon Reg#753 and a Y-12 at Chaklala for VIP use

[AirBlue]

yea i dont think they had any......but what about the Falcon they had.....that was a falcon of the VVIP squardon right ? was was it a B727 ? im confusing myself now .... i remember Nawaz Sharif traveling in one of those in blue and white......pretty nice a/c that was .... i saw it about ....in early ninties i think at the LHE airforce base

[Abbas Ali]

When did the Airforce have a 727 ?

He propably talking about the 707s.

Yes, that's right, he was talking about retired VVIP Boeing 707. PAF never had Boeing 727 in its inventory.

Related news item:

Two costly planes being purchased for PM

By Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The government is in the process of buying two high-priced VVIP business jets, including an Airbus, to be used by the prime minister for his foreign trips, it is learnt.

A senior official of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat confirmed this to this correspondent; however, a spokesperson of the secretariat, despite promise, did not explain the reason for this purchase at a time when the country is in dire need of funding for earthquake hit areas.

The senior government official, requesting not to be named, however, said the prime minister needs the executive jets for his exclusive use because of his "much-required" official foreign visits. The prime ministers everywhere do have such exclusive aircraft, he said, adding that even in the past the Pakistani premiers have been having such business jets.

According to sources a formal summary, containing Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s approval for the purchase of two VVIP planes, was forwarded to the ministry of defence and defence production several weeks back. The summary also conveyed the financial clearance of the Finance Ministry, which otherwise sits for months on areas needing funds for greater public interest.

This spending, according to sources, would be beyond the budgeted allocation as was the case for the controversial purchase of over 40 bullet proof Mercedes Benz for country’s VVIPs costing billions of rupees to public exchequer.

Sources said the prime minister had directed for the purchased of used aircrafts for which an official delegation including the representatives of finance and defence has already visited different countries including the United States.

It is confirmed that negotiations with an American company have already matured for the purchase of a 12-seater Gulf Stream — a more exclusive smaller business jet — for $28 million. This smaller executive jet would arrive in Pakistan in December this year with the agreement envisaging that the same jet would be returned to the manufacturer for $22 million after two years when the company would deliver Pakistan a new smaller executive jet for $33 million.

The government is, however, still looking for a suitable business airbus deal, which would cost much more than the smaller Gulf Stream. A delegation of Pakistani officials including Pakistan Air Force experts would soon fly for US to look for some the possible options presently being weighed by the authorities.

Former Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali also wanted for him a VVIP plane to be exclusively used for his foreign trips; however, the idea did not get matured because of government’s realization that it was a too costly business to get into.

Even an option was discussed at that time to get back from the Pakistan International Airlines the Boeing 737, which was originally purchased for the country’s chief executive. But here too the government could not proceed because the news was broken by The News, which led to the change in mind.

The aeroplane Boeing 737 was purchased brand new by the PIA management under orders of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1992 for VVIP flights.


PIA Boeing 737-33A (registration AP-BEH) in Government of Pakistan colours for VVIP flights - Abbas Ali Collection

At that time the price of the plane was said to be around $28 million for which loan was secured. The plane’s configuration was changed to accommodate VVIP passengers. The Aircraft was used by Nawaz Sharif and then by Benazir Bhutto.

Interestingly when the government of Nawaz Sharif had purchased the plane, the then opposition leader Benazir Bhutto had raised hue and cry about the police exchequer having being plundered on personal whims of the prime minister.

Later, during a caretaker government, the interim prime minister stopped using it but the plane again came under the use of Nawaz Sharif during his second tenure. After the Oct 12, 1999 military takeover, General Pervez Musharraf preferred to travel on routine flights instead of retaining the expensive VVIP plane. Musharraf, exercising his authority being the chief executive of the country, rather returned the Boeing 737 to the Pakistan International Airlines.

The aeroplane handed over to PIA permanently along with its papers. The plane was re-configured with additional amount to prepare it for routine commercial flights. It added to the PIA fleet of Boeing 737 that rose to seven with its addition.


Boeing 737-33A (registration AP-BEH) now in PIA livery - Copyright Saad Asad Cheema

According to a report at the time of its handing over to the PIA management during early 2000, the interest and depreciation of this aircraft had reached around $21 million since 1992. The estimated cost of the plane assessed at that time was said to be around $35 million.

Prior to General Musharraf, the Boeing 737 was once returned to PIA by former caretaker Prime Minister Balakh Sher Mazari. Ironically, it was reclaimed as soon as Mazari left the office. In the present situation, the president and the prime minister travelled abroad through chartered PIA plane, which after their official tours are re-engaged into pure commercial activity.

Source: The News

[Abbas Ali]

Govt plans to replace two VVIP planes, Senate told

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: The government Monday admitted in the Senate that the it (government) was moving ahead to replace two planes -- Falcon DA-20 and Boeing 707 -- with new ones as both the planes had completed their lifetime.


VVIP Dassault Falcon 20 of Pakistan Air Force (serial# J-753) - Abbas Ali Collection


Ex-PIA Boeing 707-351B (PIA registration AP-BAA) manufactured in 1968. PIA bought it from Northwest Orient in year 1977. It was transferred to Pakistan Air Force with serial# 68-19635 in April 1989 for VVIP flights. Aircraft decommissioned in year 2000 - Abbas Ali Collection

The issue was raised by the opposition while questioning the government plan to purchase new aircraft for VVIPs' movement at a time when the country was in process of rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected people.

Giving the statement on the floor of the Upper House of Parliament, Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid said the Pakistan Air Force has a pool of aircraft, which were also used for VVIPs' movement and movement of foreign dignitaries into the country.

He said Falcon DA-20, which was purchased in 1972 during the tenure of Zulifikar Ali Bhutto, has outlived its usefulness and Pakistan Air Force has assessed its poor reliability. "Therefore, its replacement was overdue while another plane, Boeing 707, came into the fleet of aircraft in 1968 and has completed 37 years of its life and is now grounded," he said and added one aircraft has been grounded owing to non-availability of spare parts and other technical reasons.

The minister said the decision to purchase one aircraft is in accordance with the requirement. He also confirmed that the negotiations for the purchase of the short-haul plane were under way, which would be materialized by December this year after completing the requisition process.

However, he said no decision has yet been taken for the purchase of the long-haul plane. When opposition leader in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani questioned the need of purchase of two expensive aircrafts at the time when the country was in the process of rehabilitation of earthquake-affected people.

He also questioned whether it is a matter of priority that the prime minister of the developing country is purchasing an aircrafts at that particular time when the priority is to rehabilitate the earthquake-affected people.

Just after the statement of the Minister of Defence Zahid Hamid, opposition member Prof Ghafoor Ahmed wanted to raise similar question but was not allowed by Senate Chairman Muhammedmian Somoro saying that after the minister's policy statement, the issue could not be discussed in the House as the members have other parliamentary tools to raise the issue.

Source: The News

[Valkyrie]

Another Falcon operated by PAF is J468. Though I think thats an EW platform.
The Army had an Aero Commander 11667, not sure what happened to that. PAF's C-130 used to have VIP modules in their cargo area for such flights.
If its feasible the govt should refurbish a couple of PIA's A310 for VVIP roles.

Here's the Y-12.

[Abbas Ali]

According to Lahore edition of newspaper 'The News', the Pakistan government has decided to buy a used Gulf Stream jet as replacement of Falcon for short-haul VVIP flights. It will be replaced by a brand new small executive jet two years later.

The replacement of Boeing 707 for long-haul VVIP flights will be decided later.

[AirBlue]

Yes that is the same falcon i was talking about. It parked next to my PIA A300 once at LHE when the old terminal at LHE used to be used

[Abbas Ali]

It is confirmed that negotiations with an American company have already matured for the purchase of a 12-seater Gulf Stream — a more exclusive smaller business jet — for $28 million. This smaller executive jet would arrive in Pakistan in December this year with the agreement envisaging that the same jet would be returned to the manufacturer for $22 million after two years when the company would deliver Pakistan a new smaller executive jet for $33 million.

Following scan sent by Syed Tariq Hussain. Tariq saw it in February 2006 issue of ’AirForces Monthly’ magazine.


Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Gulfstream IV-SP (PAF serial# J-755). The aircraft will replace ageing Dassault Falcon 20 on VVIP flights.

[Che]

Another Falcon operated by PAF is J468. Though I think thats an EW platform.
The Army had an Aero Commander 11667, not sure what happened to that. PAF's C-130 used to have VIP modules in their cargo area for such flights.
If its feasible the govt should refurbish a couple of PIA's A310 for VVIP roles.

Here's the Y-12.

Pakistan should work on acquiring a license to locally produce the Y-12 twin prop...

[Moin]

So we are to assume that this Gulfstream is here in Pakistan now owing to that pic of the a/c at BHX? Does anyone know approximately how old that a/c is as it doesn't appear to have the blended winglets I've seen most Gulfstreams with.

Its high time that Falcon and 707 were retired, the so-called questioning and boohaha being raised as to the acquisition of new a/c is nothing new. The opposition has to find something to gripe about. As for the earthquake relief, Pakistan has been pledged and received more than what was expected and assessed, so this should not be made an issue out of.

The only Airbus a/c I can think of which could be under consideration is the A319LR Corporate Jet although some may argue that as that a/c is not in the use of any local airline, it would not be feasible to operate an a/c that is not common with any other airliner in operation. HOWEVER there is Air Blue, which operate A320/321's and could provide technical assistance and crew whenever required. The other option could be a used A310-300 but I'm assuming a brand new A319LR CJ would cost more than a used A313.

To correct one discrepancy, the 733 purchased by the NS Govt was not acquired brand new but rather second hand from Ansett of Australia.

[Abbas Ali]

Does anyone know approximately how old that a/c is .....

Pakistan Air Force serial number: J-755
Aircraft type: Gulfstream IV-SP
Year of make: 1997
Manufacturer serial number: 1325
Powerplant: Two Rolls Royce TAY 611SER turbo-jets.
Previous registration: N102FM

... it doesn't appear to have the blended winglets I've seen most Gulfstreams with.

It does have blended winglets, as we can see in this photo of the same aircraft taken in 1999.

Copyright Markus Herzig - Switzerland, February 1, 1999

Link to large photo: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0075555/L/

Its high time that Falcon and 707 were retired

After retiring VVIP Falcon, PAF should consider putting it on display at PAF Museum in Karachi.

[hasan saleem]

Thanks abbas for the info.

Just another query, according to the agrement this plane will be returned after two years when the company delivers PAF with another executive jet, which executive jet will that be?

[Abbas Ali]

Just another query, according to the agrement this plane will be returned after two years when the company delivers PAF with another executive jet, which executive jet will that be?

Hasan, I don't know exactly which aircraft type will replace it but I guess a brand new and latest model of Gulfstream will take it's place in two years' time.

[Valkyrie]

Pakistan should work on acquiring a license to locally produce the Y-12 twin prop...

Guevara, finally I've found something to agree with you. Pakistan seriously lacks in the production field. Aircrafts in the category Y-12 or Twin Otter are ideally suited for the country. Even the Mushak is too expensive for local flying clubs to operate. Producing helicopters in class of the Ecurielle or Jet Ranger would be good too.