Flying display compensates for lack of flying display at South American air shows

Published: 3/14/2000

Following our article on 8th March that MiG's Lukhovtsky Machine Building Plant (LMZ) was aggressively marketing its Il-103 four seater trainer to representatives from the South American Air Force, it has been reported that they were also given a demonstration of the MiG-29 fighter. After witnessing demonstration flights performed on the aircraft, Colonel Dalton Luis Frafesso, Brazilian military attache, was reported as saying that MiG-29 definitely outperforms the US F-16. The F-16 is currently the leading candidate for the current Brazilian fighter requirement to replace Brazil's F-5s, although the programme remains stalled due to funding difficulties and upgrade options are being actively considered. In Latin America, both Cuba and Peru already operate MiG-29s as part of their fleets. The purpose of the trip to LMZ was to demonstrate some of MiG equipment to attendees of FIDAE-2000 Air Show, to be held from 27th March to 2nd April in Chile. MiG will demonstrate only aircraft mock-ups at the Air Show as the ferrying of real aircraft is too costly.

Article ID: 1672