TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - Honduras' Ministry of Defense has reported that parts to upgrade aircraft have begun to arrive in the country.
Honduras is upgrading its fleet of aircraft, including its F-5E/F Tiger II, Cessna A-37B Dragonflys, Bell 412s, as well as Embraer EMB-312 Tucanos, Bell UH-1Hs, and Hughes 500D's. A $209 million agreement between Honduras and Israel was approved by the Honduran legislature in November 2016.
According to the latest reports, at least two of Honduras' F-5E's will receive new digital communications and navigation systems from Elbit. An additional five F-5's will receive upgrades as well. In addition, five A-37Bs and four Bell 412 helicopters will receive a complete overhaul.
The parts received in January 2018 are for the four Bell 412 helicopters. Honduras reportedly has already received upgrade kits for it’s a-37 and F-5 fighters.
Under the agreement in which Honduras acquired its F-5s, Tegucigalpa must ask for permission from the U.S. to do any work on the aircraft. According to reports from the U.S., Honduras has not yet asked for this permission. As Honduras moves closer to doing the actual work on the aircraft it remains to be seen how that situation will play out.
Honduras has one of the best equipped air forces in Central America, both in size and maintenance status. While Honduras discussed the possibility of purchasing new fixed-wing aircraft in the mid-2000s, that plan was considered too expensive. As a result, Tegucigalpa decided to proceed with upgrades. The re-engining work will extend the lives of the aircraft for at least another decade.
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