Deal with Russia likely to go ahead but local press predictions of 200 operational aircraft seem wide of the mark (431 words)

Published: 11/2/2001

Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minster Alexander Stetsenko has confirmed that his country intends to upgrade its fleet of MiG-29s with Russian assistance following a visit in late October by a delegation from the Russian Ministry of Defence, headed up by Aleksey Moscovsky. The aircraft in question are part of the 216-245 aircraft inherited by Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union and will reach life limits by 2011. The decision to upgrade the aircraft has been discussed since 1999 and has involved negotiations with the Israelis at one point, and is reported to cover 200 aircraft although sources say that only 60 or so of the MiG-29 fleet are in service, with the balance being mothballed. Some were even reported to have been offered to the Russians in late 1999 as payment for gas supplies. It is unclear whether the MAPS consortium involving EADS may be involved in any upgrade, but given Ukrainian cost constraints and no requirement to meet NATO standards, the package may be solely Russian, similar to that currently reported as being undertaken by the Belarusians in conjunction with RSK MiG. There are reports, however, that the Russians may involve a third party, possibly the Israelis, at the Ukrainians' request. According to Stetsenko, however, the cost of the upgrade is yet to be discussed and Russia should provide what are described as “complete and concrete suggestions” within a month. Stetsenko says that the decision to go with Russia is that the aircraft and its systems are Russian. Somewhat disingenuously, however, given the large number of aircraft that are not operational, the minister suggested to the Ukrainian media that the “Ukrainian MiGs are able to fulfil their tasks”, but “the time for upgrade is approaching”. Stetsenko further commented that “when it comes to the modernisation, all arms that we have will be modernised”. This seems particularly unlikely, given the both costs and numbers involved in a complete upgrade of the Ukrainian MiG-29 fleet. In addition to the Mig-29, in principle, both sides decided to move ahead on upgrades for the Mi-24 and a number of missile systems. Stetsenko also announced that the sides agreed upon the use of the Motor-Sich in unspecified joint programmes in the development and overhaul of engines. Statsenko said that the visit had also involved discussions regarding the financing of the An-70 project, particularly the respective sides' contributions. Russia is reported to have acknowledged its debts and its commitment to provided Rb150m in 2002. According to some media reports, Ukraine has offered Russia a new engine for the MiG-29. It is, however, unclear which engine was being discussed.

Article ID: 2877