US attempts to dissuade Hungary (480 words)

Published: 8/14/2000

The recent efforts of the USA to dissuade the Hungarian Government of the attractiveness of upgrading its MiG-29 are based, according to Peter Tufo, US Ambassador, on the premise that the aircraft's modernisation by DASA and MiG would be a waste of the country's scarce resources. He has further added that the upgraded aircraft would not enhance the standing of the country in NATO circles, given that Tufo believes the aircraft could be deployed in the event of war. For Janos Szabo, Hungarian Defence Minister, the American comments have come as something of a surprise, given that the upgrading of the aircraft was an integral part of Hungary's accession to the alliance. Tufo's comments came after the reportedly surprise announcement that a letter of intent had been signed with DASA to upgrade 14 of the air force's 27 aircraft over the next two to three years at a cost of $71.4m. For some local commentators the statements by the ambassador have crossed the thin line between acceptable political pressure and outright lobbying for potential US suppliers of alternative aircraft. This reflects the rush to make sure that US producers become the favoured suppliers as the armed forces in Central and Eastern Europe upgrade, particularly the new entrants to NATO such as Poland, which has had eight MiG-29s upgraded by DASA, the Czech Republic and Hungary, who are either seeking to upgrade or buy new aircraft. The Hungarian authorities have been quick to play down Tufo's comments claiming that the ambassador should be expected to lobby for his country's interests. The German authorities have also been surprised by the US statements, commenting that although the aircraft could not over fly the USA, it can operate as easily in Europe as F-16s and F-18s. A situation that currently exists with the German Air Force MiG-29 modernised by DASA in the nineties. The American comments also seem to be contradicted by the performance of the German MiG-29s in the month long Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force, where the USAF's 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, according to Aeroworldnet.com, hosted the German 1st Squadron between the 23rd June and 24th July. According to comments from officers from both the USAF and the Luftwaffe, the German aircraft acquitted itself well in combat simulations against F-15s and F-16s, designed to prepare US pilots to fly against the MiG-29. This was particularly true in situations where the proponents are less than ten miles apart according to Lt. Col. Johannn Kock of the Luftwaffe., when the MiG's superior target sighting came into play. At five miles, Kock believes that the better weapons sight mounted on the MiG pilots helmet and greater manoeuvrability of the aircraft gives the MiG the advantage. Koch did accept that at greater distances of 40 miles the US aircraft demonstrate superiority through better avionics.

Article ID: 1994