DILI, 12 april 2022 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Defense of Timor-Leste, Filomeno da Paixão, revealed that the Government of the United States of America (USA) will offer plane surveillance in the country.
“The United States is available to support the air component of FALINTIL-Força Defesa Nacional de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL). We hope that by the end of this year we will be able to receive a surveillance plane”, said Filomeno da Paixão, after the visit to the airport, accompanied by the US Chargé d’Affaires, Tom Daley.
The official also stressed that before receiving the plane, the institution will send Timorese pilots to attend a flight training course on the island of Rhode, in the USA.
It is recalled that in june 2021, the Government of Timor-Leste, represented by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Planning and Planning, José Maria dos Reis, together with the US ambassador at the time, Charles Kevin Blackstone, signed two notes of understanding, one for the support of the civil aviation sector and the other for the joint rehabilitation of the Baucau aerodrome.
The latter, with an amount of US$ 10 million, aims to improve security capacity, humanitarian assistance, operations after natural disasters and contribute to the development of the economy in a more resilient and diversified way.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Rafy Belo
