Israel and Ukraine are proposing jointly to upgrade Ethiopian air force Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed fighters. The service wants to upgrade 18 of its MiG-21MFs. It is not known whether all the aircraft are airworthy.
The talks came to light when four Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) managers involved in the deal died aboard an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 which crashed during a hijack attempt. The IAI officials included Shraga Bar-Nissan, the general manager of the Lahav plant, an upgrade specialist.
Negotiations continue, despite the setback. According to the proposal, Ukraine would be responsible for structural maintenance and modifications while IAI would supply and integrate the avionics.
The deal, if it went ahead, would mark the first collaborative project involving Ukraine and Israel. Other potential "business opportunities" are also being examined.
Sources say that, in recent months, Ethiopian air force officers and pilots have visited IAI sites and watched demonstration flights of the upgraded MiG-21 demonstrator modified at the Lahav plant.
Source: Flight International
