Cape Verde Slams ‘Harmful’ Coast Guard Plane Deal & Costs
The Cape Verdean government has delivered a scathing assessment of its recent Coast Guard aircraft acquisition, labeling the purchase a “very harmful deal” for the state. During a parliamentary debate on the State of the Nation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuel Amante da Rosa signaled that the government may no longer be able to afford the operation of the plane, which is currently grounded for major repairs.
A Costly Investment for a Small Nation
The aircraft in question, a King Air 360ER, was purchased by the previous Movement for Democracy (MpD) administration for approximately 19.1 million euros. Minister Amante da Rosa criticized the high price tag, arguing that such an investment is unsustainable for a country with Cape Verde’s limited financial resources.
Despite the high initial cost, the aircraft has faced significant mechanical hurdles. Currently, both of its original engines are undergoing repairs—one in Canada and the other in South Africa. To keep the Coast Guard operational in the interim, the state has been paying roughly 1.7 million euros in service contracts, including the rental of temporary engines.
“Financial Burdens” and Technical Failures
“We cannot continue with these financial burdens,” Amante da Rosa told lawmakers, noting that the flight hours allocated for the rented engines have already been exhausted. He suggested that the only viable solution is to return the rented equipment and halt the mounting expenses.
The aircraft’s troubles began shortly after its arrival in the country on April 11, 2025. Just six days later, during its very first emergency medical mission between the islands of Boa Vista and Santiago, the plane suffered damage to a propeller following a “hard landing.”
A Short-Lived Vision for Surveillance
When the contract was initially signed with the U.S.-based company Textron Aviation in March 2023, the previous government hailed the 11.2 million euro deal (which grew to over 19 million euros including parts and assistance) as a turning point for national security. The King Air 360ER was intended to be a cornerstone for:
- Monitoring the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- Combating maritime piracy and drug trafficking
- Conducting search and rescue operations
- Facilitating medical transfers between the archipelago’s islands
However, with the engines sidelined and costs spiraling, the government now faces the difficult task of deciding whether the strategic benefits of the aircraft are worth the ongoing financial strain on the national treasury.
Image: Pexels – Israel Torres
