| Journal: Flight International | Section: Defence: News |
| Title: DEF - Nigeria | Issue Date: 05/06/01 |
| Author: Stewart Penney | Page Number: 22 |
| Copyright: Free re-use |
Nigeria invites bids to return ageing MiG-21s to serviceNigeria is seeking bids to upgrade its 34 Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbeds, delivered in the 1980s, the majority of which are non-airworthy.
Likely bidders include an Elbit Systems, Israel Aircraft Industries and Aerostar team, which is upgrading Romania's MiG-21s, and RSK MiG with the Sokol factory in Nizhny Novgorod. Thelatter pair have also developed the MiG-21-93 for India.
Industry sources suggest that the USAis offering Nigeria second-hand Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs, while press reports suggest that an offer by a Russian company to swap the MiG-21s for RSKMIG-29 Fulcrums has been rejected.
Nigeria has long had problems maintaining its air force. Two years ago it announced the sale of its MiG-21s, Sepecat Jaguars and Alenia G222s to pay for general fleet upgrades and maintenance.o
Source: Flight International
