KVZ dispute Israeli's right to upgrade Mi-17(360 words)

Published: 2/15/2001

The display of the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Mi-17 upgrade, at Aero India-2001, has infuriated Alexander Lavrentyev (General Director of the helicopter's original producer KVZ). He has been quoted in the Kazan local press as saying that his company were collecting data and would then be deciding what action to take against IAI, since they had clearly infringed the terms of their contracts, which stated that no changes to the helicopter's design were permitted under the original sales contract which stipulates KVZ and MVZ should approve. The primary motivation for Lavrentyev's irritation appears to have been the suggestion that IAI may provide the Indian Air Force with an upgrade package for their 200-strong Mi-17 fleet. Although the chances of success appear very slight. KVZ however, appears very keen to emphasise that neither it or MVZ will take responsiblity for the helicopters performance or life time extentions in the event of unauthorised upgrades. The complaint also follows a number of objections, made by Russia's helicopter producers, against the activity of the Israelis in upgrading Russian designed helicopters. At the Paris Air Show in 1999, the complaint was that the Mi-24-35, displayed by IAI, did not disclose its Russian origins. Furthermore, there were dark mutterings that the electronic upgrades might not be fully compatible. A similar view has also been expounded by the Russian authorities on “unofficial” upgrades of other combat aircraft, such as the MiG-21 by Aerostar. The contention being that only the original manufacturers can ably undertake upgrades. Generally speaking, it appears that the Russians have sought to have their cake and eat it, given that Kamov is deeply involved with IAI Lahav in the development of the Ka-50-2 attack helicopter, in a bid to produce a successful rival to US/European equivalents. Kazan itself is involved in upgrade development outside of Russia - with Kelowna Flightcraft (based in British Columbia), producing an upgrade package (Mi-17KF Kittiwake) for the Canadian market.Additionally it also inmstalls Israeli equipment on its own Mi-17s, one of which according to the company was on display as Bangalore. It is therefore unclear on exactly what basis they believe the original equipment manufacturer should be involved in any Israeli production given that the focus of activity is largely refitting avionics, which no western producer would normally expect as the Israelis are using helicopters that they have purchased on the open market. It appears that the upgraded Mi-17 exhibited by Israel Aircraft Industries, which was purchased in Ukraine, was fitted with night vision equipment, glass cockpit and a package of weapons (including anti-tank missiles). The configuration, which Kazan along with Ulan-Ude is currently developing, may be offered to large users of the Mi-17/Mi-8 such as India. It is a market estimated to be worth $0.5 billion worldwide with $100-200m in India alone.

Article ID: 2362