PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON APPLICATION 05-863618

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002701 SIPDIS BLUE LANTERN PM/DTC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR, STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KOMC ETTC HO SUBJECT: PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON APPLICATION 05-863618 REF: SECSTATE 183680 ¶1. This cable responds to the action requested in reftel. ¶2. SUMMARY: Post has verified that the Honduran Air Force has contracted with ENAER (Empresa Nacional de Aeronautica) in Santiago, Chile to support the repair of Honduran C-130 and F-5 aircraft for the 2002-2005 time frame. END SUMMARY. ¶3. Poloff confirmed with DAO and U.S. MilGroup officials that the Honduran Air Force recently entered into a $10 million contract with ENAER of Santiago, Chile for the repair and maintenance of the Air Force's C-130, F-5 and A-37 aircraft. Post understands that the contract is for the time frame 2002-2005. ¶4. According to DAO and MilGroup, the $3 million worth of spare parts for the routine repair and maintenance of the aircraft is consistent with the reported $10 million dollar contract with ENAER. ¶5. MilGroup reports that one of the Honduran Air Force's C-130s has already been refurbished by the Chilean company, and that it was delivered to the Hondurans in January 2002. PIERCE