Romania's strong ties with Elbit Systems are in evidence at Paris with three aircraft upgraded by the Israeli company and the local aerospace industry on view. On display for the first time in the West is the Avioane Craiova IAR-99 Soim lead-in trainer upgraded with Elbit avionics. Aerostar of Romania also bought the first air-defence variant of the upgraded Mikoyan MiG-21 to the show. The aircraft has been handed over to the Romanian air force and will be delivered this month. Twelve close-air-support variants have been delivered to the air force. Elbit is also working with IAR-Brasov on a $100 million air force upgrade of 24 IAR-330L Puma tactical-transport helicopters built under licence from Eurocopter.
Source: Flight International