Modernise former Soviet Union defence equipment without Russia's participation, and modernise at your own risk, warned Grigori Rapota, director-general of Russia's state armament corporation Rosvoorouzhenie at the IDEX '99 show. Recent contracts issued to countries to upgrade military equipment originally produced under the auspices of the Soviet Union, such as the MiG-21, have angered Russia. The joint Romanian Aerostar/Elbit upgrade of the Romanian air force's 110 MiG-21 Lancers is one example. Proceeding with such programmes could lead to legal action, limitations on spare parts and the loss of any Russian liability for safety, officials threatened.
Source: Flight International