Elbit Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) have won a $100 million contract to upgrade 20 Mikoyan MiG-21bis fighters for the Croatian air force.
Contract signature is expected shortly once the Israeli companies have arranged a financing package for the Croatian Government and a co-operation deal with the local industry.
Croatia came close to signing a deal with Ebit and IAI's Lahav division 12 months ago. The former will act as prime contractor, but the upgrade will combine elements from both companies' MiG-21 upgrade programmes.
Lahav's MiG-21-2000 includes an Elta EL/M-2032 multimode radar, two multifunction colour liquid crystal displays and other advanced avionics. Elbit's upgrade work - based on the Romanian Lancer programme - includes a helmet-mounted sight, a head-up display, integrated electronic warfare suite and a 1553 digital databus.
Details of weapons to be supplied are unclear but could include Elbit's Opher bomb guidance kit and the Rafael Python-4 air-air missile which would provide a capability comparable with the Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Adder) infrared missiles used by the Yugoslav air force.
Source: Flight International
