Cabinet Approves Contract for Repair of JDF Helicopter

Cabinet has approved the award of a contract in the sum of $3.4 million for the repair of a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Bell 412EP helicopter.

Minister of Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, who made the disclosure at last week’s Jamaica House press briefing, held at the Office of the Prime Minister, said the contract has been awarded to Edwards Rotocraft Solutions Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The repair is expected to be completed soon and the helicopter is scheduled to return to service by October 2013.

The JDF fleet of helicopters is a national strategic asset, providing the nation with an important response capability in the event of disasters, for relief, search and rescue, support for essential government services, law enforcement and counter narcotics operations.

The Bell 412EP helicopters were purchased for the JDF in 1998 and they have since flown over 10,000 hours on various types of operations.