Hungarian MiGs to get upgrade imminently

Published: 2/25/2000

The Hungarian daily newspaper, Vilaggazdasag, has reported that the first MiG-29 belonging to the Hungarian Air Force will be upgraded as early as April 2000. DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) in collaboration with RSK MiG in the German registered MAPS consortium is expected to win the HUF 1 billion ($3.85m) contract, although the Hungarian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has not confirmed this. Hungary is required to modernise its fleet of 27 fighter planes within the next four years at a total cost of HUF 25 billion ($96m), based on current prices. It is believed that MAPS could win the entire modernisation project, but the company is likely to use Russian subcontractors for part of the work. Representatives from DASA are reported to have arrived in Hungary on 22nd February for negotiations. DASA has been lobbying intensively for the contract over the past year and has even offered to help finance the project via soft loans and a guarantee from the German government, which has commissioned a study of upgrades of Russian aircraft for air forces in the region. DASA's local partner, the privately owned Dunai Repulogepgyar Rt, will participate in the upgrade under an agreement signed last April to pitch jointly for the work, after a falling out between MAPO, MiG's predecessor and the Hungarian Government. To make the April start date, the tender that, by law, qualifies as a public procurement, would have to be issued almost immediately. The Hungarian MoD is likely to invite bids from a limited number of companies and to select the winner through further negotiation.

Article ID: 1477