FARNBOROUGH. July 19 (Interfax-AVN) - RSK MIG and Rosoboronexport offer to modernize the existing fleet of MiG-27s in service with the Indian Air Force.
"Rosoboronexport has made sufficient progress in negotiations on the issue. I believe that we will have carved the agreement in stone by the turn of the year," RSK MIG Deputy Director General/Designer General Sergei Tsivilev told Interfax-Military News Agency at the ongoing Farnborough 2006 air show.
He noted that the upgraded MiG-27 would be fitted with the more powerful AL-31F engine, currently mounted on Su-27s and Su-30s.
According to Tsivilev, the option is offered to both India and other states. "We most certainly plan to offer the same modernization program to other states, operating MiG-27s. I am sure that RSK MIG's MiG-27 modernization program has good export potential," he said.
According to Tsivilev, it is a pilot project. "Before the MiG-27 modernization program is promoted in the international market, we have to complete research and development and conduct flight tests," he said.