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Aviation History
1999
1999 - 0589.PDF
Russian/US tussle over UAE air defence system intensifies RUSSIA AND the USA have stepped up their politicised battle to supply the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a new long- range air defence system. This is despite widening speculation at the show that the programme had been put on hold pending resolution of the UAE's Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 60 fighter purchase. The US Government's refusal to hand over its latest airborne radar and electronic warfare software to the Gulf state has stalled the F-16 acquisition and, say industry sources, put other big ticket items like the air defence surface-to-air missile (SAM) buy on hold. The technology transfer issue with the USA, coupled with mounting concern by Gulf Co operation Council states over the continued US attacks on Iraqi air defence targets, appeared to sway the balance in favour of the Russian system during the show. UAE air force sources would only say that the country had still to define its requirement and was evaluating all available options, especially the latest technology for countering the escalating tactical ballistic missile threat from weapons of mass destruction in the region. It plans to complement the Raytheon Improved HAWK S AMs in service either with Patriot or Russian S-300V2 (SA-12 Gladiator/Giant) ATBM (Anti- Tactical Ballistic Missile) systems. Raytheon, which is pitching its latest version of the Patriot, the PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability Configuration 3), against the Almaz Central Design Bureau's latest S-300 develop ments, is drawing on recent con tracts from Greece and Egypt to add weight to its bid. "Greece selected the Patriot PAC-3 over the Russian system because of lower operational costs," says Donald Olifante, Raytheon vice-president for the Patriot programme. Greece will take delivery in June of four firing units, each with eight mobile launchers armed with the Patriot guidance enhanced missile. An option for two more firing units has yet to be exercised. That could bring the total cost of the system up from $890 million to S 1.1 billion. Egypt ordered a battery of eight PAC-3 launchers valued at $1.3 bil lion after a pre-show tour by US Secretary of State for Defense, William Cohen, in early March. The visit was aimed at reviving the region's support for continued mil itary pressure on Iraq by offering arms to local allies. Early talks with Qatar for the Patriot have also begun, says Raytheon. At the show, Russia was promot ing its latest air defence equipment, includingthe S-300PMU2 Favorit system aimed at improving target acquisition and engagement of bal listic missiles and expanding the kill zone from 3 km (2 miles) to 200km. On display were the associated new 'cold' vertical launch missiles, Fakel's 9M96E and 9M96E2, which respectively have a maxi mum range of 40km and 120km. Both missiles can be used with the Triumph next generation air defence system under develop ment. Russia is believed to be offer ing heavy discounts on the system to pay off long term obligations to the UAE. But a US Government threat to restrict, or even stop, the US mili tary from flying in UAE airspace if it bought a Russian air defence sys tem has raised the political stakes. The Department of Defense has said that the risk of US aircraft being shot down because of incom patible identification-friend-or-foe equipment on the Russian S-300 system would be too great. • See Defence, P20 NEWS IN BRIEF • UAE PANTHER DELIVERIES Eurocopter will deliver the first of seven Panther heli copters ordered by the UAE by the end of the year, with final deliveries completed by mid-2000. The anti-surface warfare helicopters are armed with Aerospatiale Missiles AS 15TT sea- skirnming anti-ship missiles with a maximum range of 17km (10 miles). • RUSSIAN WARNING Modernise former Soviet Union defence equipment without Russia's participa tion, and modernise at your own risk, warned Grigori Rapota, director-general of Russia's state armament cor poration Rosvoorouzhenie at the show. Recent contracts issued to countries to up grade military equipment ori ginally produced under the auspices of the Soviet Union, such as the MiG-21, have angered Russia. The joint Romanian Aerostar/Elbit upgrade of the Romanian air force's 110 MiG-21 Lancers is one example. Proceeding with such programmes could lead to legal action, limita tions on spare parts and the loss of any Russian liability for safety, officials threatened. Pakistan unveils low cost unmanned air vehicle for 'poor' nations PAKISTAN'S Air Weapons Complex (AWC) says that its new low-cost unmanned air vehi cle (UAV) is aimed at 'poor' nations. Officials give no indication as to howinexpensive the UAVis to pur chase. The Mark 2 vehicle's show debut was the first time it had been seen outside Pakistan. An earlier version of the battlefield surveil lance system entered service with Pakistan's military about a year ago. The high wing, twin boom, pusher-puller aircraft has a range exceeding 50km (27nm), an improvement ofatleast2 0km over its predecessor, the Mark 1, and Pakistan's Mark 2 UA V offers low cost and a range of missions also can stay airborne for 3h, lh longer than the original vehicle. The Mark 2 's payload capacity at 34kg (751b) is also more than dou ble the Mark 1 's. The latest system is being offered for tactical day/night surveillance as well as for coastal surveillance or target detec tion and identification. Both mod els can carry payloads of an 8mm charge-coupled display colour camera with a 120mm motorised zoom and optional payload of a for ward looking infrared system, plus a global positioning antenna. The Mark 2 is 9ft (2.7m) long with a wingspan of 3.66m. The Mark 2 is undergoing final trials, but AWC was reluctant to specify how many platforms are in use. As AWC moves towards com pletion of the Mark 2, design and development of the next genera tion, the Mark 3, is under way. That vehicle could make its debut early next year. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 24 - 30 March 1999 9
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