Senior management from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Russia's MAPO are discussing a teaming agreement to address potential upgrades of Mikoyan combat aircraft.
IAI president Moshe Keret recently met senior MAPO officials to discuss the possibility of co-operating in bidding for upgrade programmes on the the MiG-21 Fishbed, MiG-23/27 Flogger and MiG-29 Fulcrum combat aircraft.
IAI and MAPO have previously competed in trying to win upgrade work on MiG aircraft, most notably in India, where the air force is upgrading more than 100 of its MiG-21 fleet.
The Indian competition was won by MAPO, although IAIis expected to provide avionics for this programme. IAI has also been awarded upgrade contracts on the MiG-21, including a Cambodian programme.
MAPO is now offering India an upgrade package for its MiG-27s, including, revamped cockpit avionics based around three primary multi-function displays. The aircraft would also be capable of being fitted with later-generation air-to-surface weapons.
Russian design bureaux have increasingly looked to Western avionics and systems houses to provide support in the export market.
Israeli companies have previously held talks with MAPO about providing upgrades for new-buildMiG-29 Fulcrums. This, however is believed to have been deemed work, which is too politically sensitive for Israel.
Source: Flight International
