Musharraf
Buying Special $50m Luxury Jet to Fly Non-Stop to America
Special
SAT Report
ISLAMABAD:
General Pervez Musharraf has finalized plans to buy a state of
the art luxury jet aircraft which would have the capacity to fly
him non-stop from Pakistan to United States. It will cost at least
Rs2.8 billion or US$50 million, an official confirmed to South
Asia Tribune.
The
aircraft would be inducted in the inventory of the VIP Squadron
of Pakistan Air Force.
Officials claimed that the money for the purchase of the VVIP
aircraft will come from the $300 million promised US military
assistance.
Senior officials of the Defence Ministry confirmed to SAT
that the initial processing for purchase of the aircraft
was being done by the Defence Production Division. "It (purchase
of the aircraft) would be a transparent process through competition,"
the official at the rank of a General said.
The official further said the deal is being processed keeping
in view the fact that the aircraft would be air worthy for least
the next 20 years.
Information
gathered from different sources revealed that the market price
of a single F-16 aircraft is approximately $15 million while a
Chinese fighter Squadron of 8-10 aircraft could
be raised for $5 million. When asked if the price tag of $50 million
could be justified, the concerned officials said the VVIP Squadron
of Pakistan Air Force needed the aircraft as all the three planes
used for the purpose over the years have outlived their flying
life.
According to "Washington Flyer" which tracks luxury
private aircraft, "such aircraft typically cost a minimum
of $1.5 million to buy a small used jet and up to about $44 million
for a new Gulfstream V, Global Express or Boeing
BBJ. Owners who aquire a used aircraft then generally spend
another $100,000 to $500,000 on refurbishment. But that's just
an average. Some owners spend more. And with state-of-the-art
technological advances and the latest design trends, what can
be done aboard private and corporate jets is nothing short of
amazing."
The
state of the art aircraft for use of Pakistan's VVIP's would have
the luxury and security features including three rooms, bullet
proof cockpit, infra red security gadgetry and latest medical
and communication facilities.
The bedroom in the aircraft could be converted into a conference
room facility, a source said.
The plane under consideration for purchase can fly directly to
America non-stop with extra fuel tanks for intercontinental range.
Officials claimed the purchase of the aircraft was justified as
it was a necessary requirement for PAF's VIP Squadron.
Detailing the grounds for purchase, officials said the 1955 vintage
Boeing 707 used for VVIP duties had been decommissioned for technical
reasons.
A Fokker which was used for VVIP purposes since 1967 had completed
its flying hours. A Falcon purchased in 1972 for VVIPs was now
more than 30 years old.
A Boeing 707 was transferred from PIA in 1987 to PAF's VVIP squadron.
The government of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto came in for criticism
at that time for incorporating additional features in the VVIP
aircraft and the same was later returned back to PIA.
During the first tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a Boeing
737 was purchased for VIP flights at a cost of US$28 in 1992.
The plane, given to PIA during a caretaker government, was
again used for VVIP flights during the second tenure of Nawaz
Sharif.
The plane, which remained in VVIP use till 2000 was returned to
PIA the same year by the Musharraf government. In 2003, the PIA,
was once again directed to divert the aircraft for VVIP duties.
"A new VVIP aircraft is a dire need for swift mobility of
VVIPs and their security and it would also spare the PIA the burden
of sparing an aircraft from its fleet for the VVIPs whenever the
top executives of the government need to travel," an official
said while justifying the purchase.
