DTN News - HUNGARY DEFENSE NEWS: Hungary Puts Russian-Made Fighter Jets Up For Sale

DTN News - HUNGARY DEFENSE NEWS: Hungary Puts Russian-Made Fighter Jets Up For Sale

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Gergo Racz - WSJ

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 31, 2011: Hungary’s government has decided that it would part with the 24 planes to raise cash after they were retired from active duty.

The deadline for bids for the first stage of the sales involving eight planes and 20 thrusters is Sept. 15. The jets will be sold off in a one-round public tender to be concluded in October.

The MIG jets were designed by Soviet Union-based airplane factory Mikoyan and entered service in 1983. They’re widely used short-range fighters, originally developed to counter advanced models in the U.S. Air Force, such as F-15 or F-16. Mikoyan has since been merged into JSC United Aircraft Corporation, publicly traded in Russia, with the government retaining a majority stake.

Hungary received 28 MIG-29s in 1993 as debt compensation from Russia. The planes soon became local pilots’ favorites due to excellent maneuverability, which allowed the likes of Peter Kovacs, Gyula Vari and Zoltan Szabo to win world championship titles for flying them.

However, there were also downsides. MIGs are well-known for their high maintenance costs and high fuel consumption. Some planes in the fleet actually had to be salvaged in order to get spare parts to repair the others.

Also, when Hungary became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO in 1999, it became apparent that there would be compatibility issues. Instead of trying to prolong the MIGs’ lifespan and upgrading their systems, the government decided to replace them with Gripens manufactured by Sweden’s Saab.

If you can fork out at least 3.46 billion forints ($18.3 million), the minimum amount the ministry would accept for the package, you’re good to try. The deals are subject to the manufacturer’s approval.

[EDIT]AIRCRAFT INVENTORY - WIKIPEDIA

Aircraft	Photo	Origin	Type	Versions	In active service	Notes
Fighter Aircraft
Saab JAS 39 Gripen		Sweden	fighter trainer	JAS 39C JAS 39D	12[1] 2[1]	With completely new system software fit, known as Version 19.
Transport
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III		United States	NATO strategic transport	C-17 Globemaster III	3	Under SAC program with Hungarian Air force marking and international staff.
Antonov An-26		Ukraine	tactical transport	An-26	5[1]	to be replaced between 2011–2014, C-27J or second-hand C-130H.
Trainer Aircraft
Aero L-159 Alca		Czech Republic	attack / trainer	L-159Z	2	since 2010, 14 more will be ordered in 2010-2012.
Yakovlev Yak-52		Soviet Union	trainer	Yak-52	11
Training Helicopter
Robinson R44		United States	training helicopter	R44	3
Transport and Attack Helicopters
Mil Mi-17		Soviet Union Finland	transport helicopter	Mi-17N MI-17P Mi-8T	2 5 2	All Mi-17s upgraded. 2 Finnish Air Force Mi-8Ts were bought in January 2011.[citation needed]
Mil Mi-8		Soviet Union	transport helicopter	Mi-8	8	10 more new helicopters will be ordered in 2011 to replace the Mi-8s. Some Mi-8s were sold toEthiopia and Peru.
Mil Mi-24		Russia / East Germany	attack helicopter	Mi-24D Mi-24V Mi-24P	12[1]	All Mi-24V will be upgraded to Mi-35 after 2010. (NATO caliber development process )
UAV's
Elbit Skylark		Israel	UAV	Skylark I	9	Hand-launched "disposable" mini electric UAV for the Afghan theatre ground troops. One was shot down in combat in Afghanistan.

There are also a number of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21's, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23's, Sukhoi Su-22's and MiG-29's in stock. These are being stored open air and no longer airworthy.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Gergo Racz - WSJ

*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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