Fernando Sibilla resigned as chairman of the board of directors of Fábrica Argentina de Aviones S.A. ( Fadea ), in a context of financial uncertainty and lack of vital contracts with the Argentine Air Force .
The former official shared his decision through a post on LinkedIn , describing his tenure as “ intense, challenging and deeply rewarding .”
Sibilla 's departure was not unexpected. About a month ago, his continuity had been discussed in a meeting with the Minister of Defense, Luis Petri . In that conversation, Petri had asked Sibilla to remain in his position until February , in an attempt to reorient the company 's course in difficult times.
However, the lack of an inter-administrative contract guaranteeing the provision of three Pampa III aircraft and the conversion of another three Pampa II to the new standard has left Fadea in a critical situation .
The contract that would allow the start of this operation is estimated to require approximately 40 million dollars , a figure that the ministry has not guaranteed so far. Without access to these funds, the production of aircraft and the progress of other projects, such as the manufacture of ten IA-100 B trainers for pilot training, are compromised .
Accumulated debts affect numerous local suppliers , including highly specialized SMEs that have been waiting for long periods to receive payments .
These delays impact Fadea 's overall operations and its ability to fulfill pending contracts, such as the modernization of the avionics of the Army Aviation 's AB-206 helicopters.
However, Sibilla considered in his farewell that the institution is better than before: " Today Fadea is in better competitive conditions than it was some time ago ."
He said that the company is almost ready to operate at full capacity in the production of the Pampa III and in the development of the IA-100 . However, these plans depend critically on the injection of funds and effective negotiations between the Nation and the government of Córdoba .
A relevant fact is that the factory was left off the list of privatizations of the current Government , but it faces demanding conditions for its transfer to the province . The lawyer Diego Chaher , Secretary of State Companies and Societies , has established some requirements , which include the payment of a fee of 180 million pesos and 2% on sales and services , in addition to the need to secure contracts with the Air Force .
Financial uncertainty is further heightened by the question of who will take over, given the need for more than 2.1 billion pesos needed to pay salaries in the first month .
At the same time, the IA-63 Pampa III , although still attractive for export , faces a constant struggle to ensure its profitability in the international market.
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