Uganda has purchase several Mikoyan MiG-21s from Poland in a deal that includes an upgrade package being undertaken by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
The ex-Polish Air Force fighters have been transferred to the facilities of IAI's Lahav division, in Tel Aviv, where they will be upgraded.
IAI helped the Ugandans to select the first batch of fiveMiG-21MFs and two MiG-21 UTI two seat fighters. The deal is worth an estimated $15 million to IAI, and sources say there is an option for additional MiG-21s to be purchased and upgraded.
It is not clear what the upgrade will involve but the MiG-21-2000 upgrade package offered by the Lahav division is modular, and can include an Elta EL/M-2032 advanced multi-mode radar, multi-function displays and other advanced avionics.
The addition of upgradedMiG-21s will be a sizeable boost to Uganda. The country has suffered from unrest on its borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Reports that it operates MiG-23s have never been confirmed, and it is believed the additions will constitute the country's only operational fixed wing combat aircraft.
Source: Flight International
