Published: 5/22/1998

The Russian MiG-AT trainer has a good chance of winning tenders announced by Venezuela and the Republic of South Africa (RSA), MiG scientific and industrial amalgamation chief designer Yuri Sushkov told ConCISe. Both of those countries intend to purchase 24 aircraft of this type, Sushkov said. Germany's Alpha-Jet, Britain's Hawk, and the Czech Republic's L-59 are the main rivals of the MiG-AT, according to Sushkov. The main advantage of the MiG is the contemporary western design features, while its rivals were designed long ago and "were completed and modernised to meet the demands of today," he said. However, not only high-tech characteristics but also other factors may determine the winner, he said, adding that the results of the tenders will be known by the summer. MiG-ATs were designed for both the Russian Air Force and export markets: they can be equipped with either Russian or French engines, and are used for the preparation of pilots of advanced aircraft of Russian and foreign origin. (DF598.2) (VZ)  

Article ID: 183