MiG impresses in Dubai

RSK MiG (rumoured to be talking joint developments with Airbus) like Airbus with the giant 380 (behind production schedule but way ahead of Boeing) are wowing the Asian / Mid East military at Dubai with their afternoon shows of their adapted MiG-29SMT featuring the new Zhuk-ME multimode radar, open architecture avionics with a MIL-STD-1553B multiplex bus, a multichannel navigation system and a new fuel system that allows longer range and in-flight refuelling.

This is also combined with the new deflected multi-vectored (DFV) thrust which will feature in the MiG – 35 ( was MiG –29 OVT) which India wants to replace the ageing MiG 21’s. This DFV provides extraordinary manoeuvrability combining low altitude flying without the need for high angles of attack. Of course no contracts are signed and the French Rafale, and the Eurofighter Typhoon are also in the picture but the F16 (also now turned down by Pakistan’s Mushariff) seems to have been sidelined.

MiG will soon be able to deliver 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft to the Indian navy. Test flights will begin in 2006 with delivery said to be pencilled in for 07-08-09.

These variants include a helmet-mounted target designation system, a solid-state laser rangefinder and the ability to detect targets both in front and behind the aircraft which also incorporate infr-red sensing.

MiG’s new Director General, Alexei Fedorov is very optimistic about MiG’s future. The company has seen sales rise 113% over the 12 months to November. Annual revenues exceed US$1Bn and the company delivered, upgraded and overhauled a total of 52 aircraft for foreign customers in 2005, including upgrading Slovakia’s MiG-29s to NATO standards.

IAF staffers and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his delegation visited the MiG headquarters on Wednesday last week prior to the Dubai show. So far American suppliers Lockheed Martin and Boeing who are competing with their F-16s and F-18 Super Hornets seem to be firmly placed on the back burner.

Pic SAAB Gripen over Dubai this week.