MOSCOW. Jan 22 (Interfax-AVN) - The Fazotron-NIIR Corporation will finalize the delivery of Kopyo (Spear) onboard radar systems for modernizing India's MIG-21bis Fishbed fighter jets in early 2005, a defense industry source told Interfax- Military News Agency on Thursday.
"A March 1, 1996 contract stipulates the delivery of 125 Kopyo radar systems to India. About 55 radar systems still have to be manufactured and supplied. The contract will be fulfilled by early 2005," the source said.
The new radar system is a key component in modernizing the MIG-21bis jet into the MIG-21-93, he said.
"Specifications of upgraded MIG-21bis fighters will be comparable to those of fourth-generation fighters. The planes will be able to remain the Indian Air Force inventory until 2010," the source said.
According to experts, combat efficiency of the MIG-21 grew several times thanks to Kopyo. The plane acquired multifunctional capability and is now able to hit aerial, land and sea targets. Mock battles in India have shown that the MIG-21 with Kopyo can rival French-made Mirage fighters in the inventory of the Indian Air Force as far as combat efficiency is concerned.
About 70 radars have already been supplied to India, the source said.
According to him, Russia is permanently improving Kopyo, and an entire family of radars intended for other planes and helicopters has been developed on its basis.
The Kopyo radar for the MIG-21bis has a simultaneous tracking capability of eight aerial targets and a simultaneous missile launch capability of two targets. The detection range in the front hemisphere is up to 57km, in the aft hemisphere up to 35km. Lock-on range and engagement range is 45km, and target interception altitude is from 0.03 to 22km.
According to unofficial sources, the value of the contract for radar supplies to India exceeds USD300m.