MiG remain optimistic about prospects for the MiG-AT in India with Russian engines

Published: 1/4/2000

In a recent flood of Indian orders, MiG is reported to be in the process of preparing a commercial offer for the MiG-AT trainer for India, which requires 65 aircraft. India, along with the South Africa until the adoption of the BAe Hawk, has long been considered a prime customer for the aircraft and has been actively wooed. MiG recently presented the RD-1700 engines to HAL in India, which would produce any potential order under licence. According to the source, the aircraft will not be equipped with the Larzac, supplied by SNECMA for the early ATs, but with the Aviadvigatel RD-1700, which although not as cheap as originally thought, should substantially undercut the Larzac with a price of $500,000-$800,000 and improve on some of the Larzac"s shortcomings in terms of performance, range and ceiling. The RD-1700 should be installed on the MiG-AT by the end of 2000 and the engine is seen as having a potential market of 2000-3000 engines. As the power plant for the MiG-AT, the RD-1700 is not without its competitors. A.Lyulka/Saturn is developing the Al-55 engine for the light attack and trainer market, contending that its power plant, in serial production, will be priced at $500,000. Associated articles: www.concise.org 17th June 1999, 4th October 1999

Article ID: 1267