Five years after promising to restore the Papua New Guinea Defence Force's (PNGDF) grounded CASA aircraft, Prime Minister James Marape says the Government is moving closer to bringing the important national asset back into service.
The CASA CN235-100, P2-502, departed Port Moresby today for Bandung, Indonesia, where it will undergo Major Calendar Servicing, marking another stage in a recovery programme that began with a government commitment in August 2021.
For Marape, the departure represents progress on a promise made at the same Air Transport Wing hangar five years ago, when he pledged to restore the aircraft and rebuild the operational capacity of the PNGDF's air transport division.
The Government committed K50 million towards the aircraft's recovery and rehabilitation, although the Prime Minister acknowledged that the process had taken longer than anticipated.
But beyond the aircraft's technical restoration, its return to service carries broader significance for a country where geography continues to limit access to essential services.
Papua New Guinea's mountainous terrain, scattered islands and limited road infrastructure make air transport a critical link between the State and communities in remote locations.
P2-502, which can carry approximately six tonnes of cargo or 40 personnel, was designed to operate from short and unsealed airstrips, making it particularly suited to the country's challenging geography.
During its operational years, the aircraft supported disaster relief, search-and-rescue missions, maritime surveillance and the transportation of Government personnel and essential supplies.
Marape said restoring the aircraft was therefore not simply about recovering military equipment but strengthening the Government's ability to respond to emergencies, support security operations and reach people who depend on air transport.
The aircraft will undergo servicing at PT Dirgantara Indonesia in Bandung before returning to Papua New Guinea, subject to the completion of the required technical and airworthiness standards.
Marape said the Government expected it to resume its national duties after the servicing process, including supporting operations associated with the 2027 National General Election.
He said the restoration of P2-502 formed part of a wider effort to rebuild the PNGDF's aviation capability and ensure that important national assets were properly maintained and sustained.
The aircraft's departure is therefore more than a military aviation exercise. It is a step towards restoring an operational capability that has implications for national security, emergency response and service delivery to some of Papua New Guinea's most isolated communities.