Paraguay
Paraguayan Ministry of National Defence
History
Narrative Summary
The Ministerio de Defensa Nacional (MINDEF) or, Paraguayan Ministry of National Defence, has operated a number of light aircraft separately from the Air Force since at least the 1960s.
Key Dates
| 196? | MINDEF aviation section established. |
Current Status
The MINDEF aircraft are used primarily for transport and communication.
Future Plans
No plans known.
Markings
National Insignia
MIDEF aircraft operate in civilian colour schemes with the national flag on the tail fin. No service titles are displayed.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
All MINDEF aircraft carry Paraguayan civil aircraft registrations in the ZP-MDx sequence.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
| Aircraft Type | Total Del’d | Total Active | Still on Order | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna U206G Stationair | 1 | 1 | 0 | Transport |
| Cessna 310R | 1 | 1 | 0 | Transport |
All-Time Aircraft Used List
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin | Beech A36 Bonanza | 2 | 1973 | 1999 | USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 180 | 1 | 1962 | ? | USA |
| Cessna U206G Stationair | 1 | 1996 | present | FAP |
| Cessna 310R | 1 | 1996 | present | FAP |
| Piper PA-?? | 1 | 1962 | ? | ? |
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Ministerio de Defensa Nacional, Asuncion.
Organisational Structure
Not applicable.
Current Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
All aircraft are based at the Silvio Pettirossi IAP.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
The main base has been Silvio Pettirossi International Airport.
More Information
Books
Paraguay Aviation Bibliography – to be added
Magazines
No feature articles known.
Websites
World Air Forces Directory 2006/2007 (Ian Carroll)
World Air Forces Directory 2013/14 (Ian Carroll)
Scramble Database Paraguay
World Survey of Civil Aviation – South America
Hanriot HD.1
History
Three Hanriot HD.1 obtained direct from the manufacturer in 1923. Used by the ??
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | 1923 | n/a | ||
| n/a | 1923 | n/a | ||
| n/a | 1923 | n/a |
Pictures
None at present.
More Information
References
Other Sources
To be added.
Paraguayan Anti-Drugs Force
History
Narrative Summary
Under the dictatorship of President Alfredo Stroessner (1954 – 1989), Paraguay became a haven for drug smugglers and arms dealers. The trade in illegal drugs soared spectacularly and corruption amongst law enforcement officials was common. Since the overthrow of Stroessner in 1989, the government has been working to clamp down on illegal drugs. In 1991 a central authority called the Secretaría Nacional Antidrogas (SENAD) was established to coordinate the areas of demand reduction, supply reduction, control measures and the information center. SENAD is funded separately from the Police and Armed Forces and reports directly to the office of the President. It works with the Anti-Narcotics Police (DINAR) and the Policia Nacional (PNP) in carrying out drug seizure operations.
In 1996 an aviation unit was established, to operate three UH-1 heiicopters specifically obtained from Argentina. The aviation unit was disbanded in March 2004 and air support is now provided by the Air Force.
Key Dates
| 1991 | SENAD first established. | |
| 1996 | SENAD Aviation Unit established. | |
| 2004 | Aviation Unit disbanded. |
Current Status
The SENAD Aviation Unit was disbanded in 2004.
Future Plans
Not applicable.
Markings
National Insignia
No information available on aircraft markings.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
SENAD helicopters carried military-syle serials in the range PR-H-00x.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Not applicable.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
Click on aircraft type for more details
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Retirement | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell UH-1B Iroquois | 3 | 1996 | 2004 | Argentina |
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Secretaría Nacional Antidrogas, Asuncion, Paraguay.
Organisational Structure
All helicopters were operated by the Aviation Unit of the SENAD.
Current Unit Assignments
No units.
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
Not applicable.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
The SENAD Aviation Unit used Silvio Pettirossi International Airport?
More Information
Books
Paraguay Aviation Bibliography – to be added
Magazines
No feature articles known.
Websites
Bell UH-1B Iroquois
History
Three ex-military UH-1B converted to civilian standard by Garlick Helicopters Inc of Hamilton, Montana and supplied by Servicios Especiales SA of Argentina. Used by SENAD.
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR-H-003 | 833 | 63-8611, LV-WMS | 1996 | wfu Mar 2004, stored Nu Guazu 2010 |
| PR-H-004 | 1157 | 64-14033, LV-WIX | 1982 | wfu Mar 2004, stored Nu Guazu 2010 |
| PR-H-005 | 426 | 62-1906, LV-WED | 1982 | 62-1906, TI-SPP, N4242T, LV-WED. Preserved Asuncion 2010 |
Pictures
None available at present.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2013/14 (Ian Carroll)
- Scramble Database Paraguay
- UH-1B Iroquois
- Rotorspot LV- Register
- Unos Bell llamados Garlick
Other Sources
To be added.
Cessna 208 Grand Caravan
History
Two Cessna 208B Caravan ordered March 2011 and delivered from December 2011. Used by the Grupo Aéreo de Transporte Especiales.
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0250 | 208B-2306 | N51444, ZP-BDO | 2 Dec 2011 | |
| 0251 | ? | ZP-BBN | 28 Jun 2012 |
Pictures
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2013/14 (Ian Carroll)
- La Fuerza Aérea recibe el 1er. Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan
- Scramble Database Paraguay
Other Sources
To be added.
Bell 427
History
One Bell 427 donated by Taiwan on 4 May 2011. Used by the Presidential Flight.
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-0401 | 56011 | N367ND | May 2011 | n/a |
Pictures
Photographer © JerryE
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2013/2014 (Ian Carroll)
Other Sources
To be added.
Aircraft Not Used
This page gives details of the aircraft types that were offered or promised to the Paraguayan Air Force, but not delivered, cancelled official orders, and types have been falsely reported as being in service.
Cessna T-37C
The supply of 12 ex-Brazilian Air Force T-37Cs was proposed in 1979 to replace FAP T-6 trainers, but the US government vetoed the deal.
Tweet and Dragonfly: The Story of the Cessna A-37 and T-37
Mil Mi-8T ‘Hip’
A Mil-8T was reportedly delivered in May 1992 and written off in 1994. This machine was actually leased to the Policia Nacional and not the Air Force.
Northrop F-5E Tiger II
A deal to obtain 12 F-5E/F aircraft from Taiwan was under negotiation in the late 1990s, but could not be completed due to lack of funds and air base infrastructure limitations.
Paraguayan Ministry of Agriculture and Livesock
Warning: Use of undefined constant current - assumed 'current' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/customer/www/aeroflight.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/waf-inventory/waf-inventory.php on line 60
History
Narrative Summary
The first Paraguayan Ministerio de Agricultura was established in 1936. In 1950 a re-organisation led to the establishment of the present Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia (MAG – Ministry of Agriculture and Livesock). Circa 1998 an aviation unit was estabished, to operate light aircraft in support of ministry operations.
Key Dates
| 1950 | MAG formed from previous Ministerio de Agricultura. | |
| 1998? | MAG Aviation Unit established. |
Current Status
The MAG aircraft are used primarily for transporting officials around the country, in support of various agricultural programmes.
Future Plans
No further aquisitions are planned.
Markings
National Insignia
MAG aircraft are very plain, with just the national flag on the tail fin. No MAG insignia or service titles are carried.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
All MAG aircraft carry civilian registrations.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Click on aircraft type for more details
| Aircraft Type | Total Del'd | Total Now | Still On Order | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beech 55 Baron | 1 | 1 | 0 | Transport |
| Cessna 210 Centurion | 1 | 1 | 0 | Transport |
All-Time Aircraft Used List
Click on aircraft type for more details
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Retirement | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beech 55 Baron | 1 | ? | current | ? |
| Cessna 210 Centurion | 1 | ? | current | ? |
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia, Av Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia, San Lorenzo, Paraguay.
Organisational Structure
All sircraft are operated by the Aviation Unit of the MAG.
Current Unit Assignments
No units.
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
All MAG aircraft are based at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, Asuncion.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
The MAG Aviation Unit has used Silvio Pettirossi International Airport since its establishment.
More Information
Books
Paraguay Aviation Bibliography – to be added
Magazines
No feature articles known.
Websites
Cessna 210 Centurion
History
At least one Cessna 210L Centurion used by the Aviation Unit of the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia. Operated between 2005 and 2013 at least.
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZP-TIG | 210-60524 | ? | ? |
Pictures
None available at present.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2013/2014 (Ian Carroll)
- ACCIDENTE CON AVIONETA
Other Sources
To be added.