Defence ministers from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have agreed to upgrade their Mil Mi-24 Hind combat helicopters. "This is the first project of its kind within the Visegrád group," says Slovak minister Jozef Stank.
Poland will be project co-ordinator, as it has helicopter manufacturing experience. A tender will be held to select the industrial prime contractor. Prototype development is to take 18 months, with the upgrade of around 100 machines to start a year later. New systems have not been specified but are expected to cover targeting, navigation and communications.
Each helicopter will cost CKr120 million ($3.7 million) to upgrade, including new weaponry. Sharing development costs between the four will save the Czech Republic CKr150 million, says defence minister Jaroslav Tvrd¡k. Early focus of upgrade export will be on other ex-Warsaw Pact nations.
Source: Flight International
