Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
IN AN EXTRAORDINARY volte face, the Russian Government is to renew funding for the Mikoyan MiG-29M advanced Fulcrum. The project had been originally halted over three years ago after Moscow decided to withdraw its support.
The move comes at a critical time for Mikoyan. The design bureau is struggling to complete its fifth-generation air-superiority aircraft, Article 1.42, without the aid of adequate state funds, and is finding it difficult to win customers for currently available MiG-29 models.
The new deal proposed by the Government will cover completing development of the MiG-29M programme, along with flight testing and the launch of series production of the aircraft.
Valery Novikov, the MiG-29 programme manager, says that a Government resolution was released at the end of April clearing the way for inclusion of the programme in this year's state defence order for research and development.
The MiG-29M upgrade includes the pulse-Doppler Phazotron Zhuk multi-mode radar, the Geophisika OLS-M infra-red/TV/laser-sighting system, and the capability to include a range of air-to-surface guided weapons.
Ironically, the renewal of the programme has had a cool response from the MAPO production plant in Moscow, because it means the plant will have to retool for production of the aircraft. It is also likely to undermine future sales efforts of early-model Fulcrums.
Novikov has also confirmed that the MiG-29 aircraft being delivered to Malaysia are basically Fulcrum-As. These aircraft have been given the MiG-29SM designation by the design bureau.
The Malaysian aircraft will undergo a four-phase upgrade programme which will be concluded in 1997. The last stage will see the aircraft receive the Phazotron Topaz modification to the Slotback radar to give the aircraft a two-target engagement capability.
Novikov has also confirmed that Malaysia will receive the Vympel R-77 (AA-X-12 Adder) active medium-range air-to-air missile now in limited service with the Russian air force.
Source: Flight International
