Peru looking To Upgrade Remaining MiG-29 Fleet

According to Konstantin Biryulin, deputy head of Russia’s Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service, Russia and Peru will sign a contract to upgrade Peruvian Mig-29 before the end of 2013 pending final negotiations.

The contract covers the aircraft that had not been upgraded during a previous contract signed in 2008. That contract covered the upgrade of eight MiG-29 to a customized version of the MiG-29SMT standard.

The MiG-29 SMT standard turns the MiG-29 into a multi-role aircraft approaching the level of the MiG-29M. Upgrades include:

• Enlarged spine with room for bigger fuel tanks to increase range
• New radar includes support for air-to-ground modes
• New cockpit and avionics
• Upgraded engines

Once upgraded, the aircraft will be compatible with various precision-guided air-to-ground munitions. In all, Peru bought 18 MiG-29 in 1996 and another 3 in 1998. Of these two have been lost to accidents.

Peru also has 12 Mirage 2000 fighters bought during the eighties that will be upgraded by France. Some of its Su-25 Close Air Support aircraft may also be upgraded.

Russia has finished upgrading Peruvian Mil Mi-25 attack helicopters and is looking at signing more deals with Peru, including the sale of T-90S main battle tanks and Mi-17 transport helicopters.


http://en.rian.ru/world/20130520/181255021/Russia-Peru-to-Sign-MiG-29-Jet-Upgrade-Deal.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons