Date Posted 28 March 2008

GIST.

The 15 MiG-29 delivered to Algeria in 2006 - 2007 will be returned to Russia by the end of April.  One reason for the delayed shipment of the Su-30MKI(A) is the fact that Algiers has yet to pay for a number of contracts.  The contracts, all signed in March 2006, had called for delivery of 28 Su-30MKI(A), 34 MiG-29, 16 Yak-130 trainers, 4 S-300PMU-2 air defense missile systems, 38 "Pantsir'-S1" air defense systems and 185 T-90S tanks.  In addition, they contracted for the reequipping of 400 BMP-1 purchased previously.  Algeria stopped paying on the contracts until Russia agreed to take back the MiGs.

Source: 28.03.08, Avia.RU

Date Posted 27 March 2008
((The proposed Il-114T would also have increased flight range, but that capability requires a complete redesign of the airplane because of the increased fuel load on its flight performance.  About two to four aircraft are required.  Not further translated.))

Source: 27.03.08, AviaPort.RU, Correspondent: Dmitriy Kozlov

Date Posted 26 March 2008
((Final batch of those ordered to be delivered by year's end.  Not further translated.))

Source: 26.03.08, Interfax


((Average age of Serb MiG-29 is 20 years.  The aircraft are ready for acceptance tests.  No details on upgrades.  Not further translated.))

Source:  26.03.08, Gazeta.RU

Date Posted 25 March 2008

Weapons System Upgrade Will Allow Heavy MiG-31 Fighter to Destroy Hypersonic Flight Vehicles

A weapons system upgrade will allow the heavy MiG-31 fighter to destroy hypersonic flight vehicles, chief of the 30th air force central scientific research institute federal state foundation, Colonel Yuriy Balyko, announced to journalists today.

"The domestic line of aircraft armament requires a definite upgrade right now," he said. - Russia's primary aerial weaponry improvement is the development and realization of a long-term state program which includes, in particular, the creation of a new generation of air-to-air guided missiles.

In Balyko's opinion, "the upgraded MiG-31 will be able to use air-to-air guided missiles from a great launch distance."

"Its capabilities for the destruction small airplanes and cruise missiles will grow, and also for future hypersonic flight vehicles,” the institute's leader emphasized. - “On the whole, its combat effectiveness can grow 1 1/2 to 4 times in comparison with the basic airplane.”

"The Su-34 ((sic)) airplane will be able to destroy ground, surface and aerial targets effectively using a whole range of aerial weapons which do not depend on weather conditions and time of day in any geographic region," Balyko concluded.

Source: 24.03.08, Gudok.RU

Technical Task for Creation of Patrol Airplane Based on Il-114 Being Prepared

It is planned to create a special short-range patrol airplane based on the short-range Il-114 airplane.

"The technical task for the creation of a new special purpose airplane based on the Il-114 which is intended for patrol missions in the interest of armed forces leaders is being prepared," a source in the defense industrial complex reported to Interfax-AVN on Tuesday.

He noted that the creation of the short-range patrol airplane has been provided for by the State Arms Program to 2015.

According to the source, the new aircraft will be delivered both to the domestic market and to the world. Venezuela, in particular, is expressing great interest in this airplane.

"Discussions with Venezuela on the delivery to that country of patrol airplanes based on the Il-114 have been under way for practically a year already. According to preliminary agreements, Venezuela will purchase up to 20 airplanes of this type," the agency source said.

According to him, the possibility is being studied for the participation of Italian companies in this project. "As of today, discussions are being held on the question of using Italian avionics on the new patrol airplane," the agency source said.

Source: 25.03.08, Gudok

Date Posted 24 March 2008

Algeria has pulled out of the contract entered into earlier for the delivery of 34 MiG-29 fighters for a total of 1.3 billion dollars and decided to return to Russia the 15 airplanes already delivered for political reasons.

The head of the Federal Agency for Industry (Rosprom), Andrey Dutov, expressed such an opinion in an interview which was published today by the Vedomosti newspaper while commenting on Algeria's withdrawal from the Russian fighter purchase.

"The reasons for Algeria's pulling out of the contract are most likely political. It is not a question of industrial.

Each country is looking for allies independently, and the arms sphere is included in the search for allies," Mr. Dutov reported.

He also noted that Algeria's refusal of the contract will not damage the Russian aircraft industry, since the fighters will go to the Russian air force. "Russia's defense minister is expressing great interest in obtaining these airplanes," Dutov said.

The Rosprom head emphasized that Algeria pulled out of only the aircraft contract, and all the other deals made with them for the delivery of arms, that is "the whole Algerian package" for a total of nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars, remains in force.

Mr. Dutov also noted that there are no questions of threats to the other contracts.

Source: 24.03.08, Avia.RU

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