Israeli company Elbit Systems has received from its country permission modernize Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters.
The need for such a permit for Elbit Systems was sought by the Ukrainian side to ensure the responsibility of the main integrator of the new systems on board the aircraft, Ukrainian publication DefenseExpress reported.
The key upgrade will be the installation of a new radar with capabilities for detecting targets in the air and on the ground and control of guided weapons; new on-board computer and a number of other systems.
Ukrainian companies will also be participation in the deep modernization in cooperation with Elbit Systems on this project.
An upgraded MiG-29MU2 (upgraded by a local plant) was recently released which would increase its remaining service life to 12 years from the earlier 8.
According to preliminary negotiations with Elbit Systems, which took place in 2019, it was about the modernization of a pair of 11 MiG-29 fighters. At the same time, according to preliminary estimates, the cost of upgrading each aircraft will be about $ 40 million.