MAPS loses out on MiG-29 upgrade (238 words)

Published: 5/10/2001

The chances of the Hungarian Air Force upgrading its MiG-29s may have been dealt a final blow, with reports of the decision by the Hungarian Security Council to opt for the US deal of mothballed US Air National Guard F-16s to replace the air force's 27 MiG-29s, 14 of which were to have been overhauled by the MAPS consortium.Final confiirmation of the deal is still awaited. The decision comes after some excitement on the part of MiG and DASA, after a letter of intent was signed in July 2000, for the upgrade of 14 aircraft at a cost of $71.4m, to bring the aircraft to NATO standard over three years, with savings in maintenance of 15-20% promised and overall reductions in life time costs of 40-45%. Confirmation of the US option has aroused considerable local opposition, with speculation rife that the USA has strong-armed the new NATO member into the decision and rumours that the US ambassador put the Hungarian government under considerable political pressure. It is as yet not entirely clear wether MiG/MAPS will not see some work, as according to reports the F-16 that have to be upgraded will not be available until 2004. Leading to suggestions that limited upgrade work could take place on the Hungarian MiG-29s. The market for MiG-29 upgrades remains attractive in Eastern and Central Europe, with potential upgrades of 100 aircraft at a price of $4m per aircraft. There are a number of MoUs with governments in the region - most notably Romania and Bulgaria - although such aggressive lobbying by the Americans in the case of Hungary must worry the MAPS consortium, given the aspiration of many of the region's governments to join NATO.

Article ID: 2525