Rosoboronexport, Russia's sole importer and exporter of military hardware, has signed a number of military-technical cooperation agreements with the South African authorities and companies in the run-up to AAD 2002.

Speaking at the first press conference at the show, Mr. Mikhail Dmitriev, Russia's deputy minister of defence, said his country regards the show as one of the most important outside of Russia as African countries are increasingly becoming new clients.

According to Mr. Vladimir Artyakov from Rosoboronexport Russia's military equipment has had a long history in Africa with various countries operating MiG fighters and Mi-helicopters. Amongst countries where the Russian exporter already has a permanent office are Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Angola with a new one in South Africa opening shortly.

Artyakov says the upgrading of equipment is currently the main focus of Rosoboronexport's business in Africa. A prime example of this is the Mirage F1 from the South African Air Force which has been fitted with a MiG-29 engine and has been giving flying demonstrations at shows from Pretoria to Moscow. Known as the SuperMirage F1, the upgrade package has enhanced the flight performance characteristics two times and the combat efficiency and tactical capabilities four times.

According to Artyakov the main objective of this "highly successful project" is cooperation with foreign partners in the research and development work on the French aircraft aimed at adapting the Russian-made power unit, armament and avionics.

After the upgrade the SuperMirage can compete with other 4th generation aircraft while at the same time it costs much less. The South African companies Aerosud and Marvol used the services of Russian experts to develop new avionics and sighting systems for the SuperMirage which allowed installation of missiles and laser-guided bombs.

According to Artyakov market research has shown that the project has a significant market potential and can be implemented in a number of African, Latin American, Middle East and Southeast-Asian countries. Currently national air forces in some 16 countries operate more than 500 Mirage F1 and Mirage III fighters, as well as 200 Mirage V's. The potential market covers at least 300 aircraft.

The Mirage F1 is still used in Jordan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Libya, Iraq and Iran, as well as in Brazil, Argentine and Egypt.

Artyakov says his company is ''very flexible" with other African countries with different modes of payment should anyone become interested in a deal. "In the absence of hard currency, Russia will be glad to take other products and produce from a particular country in return. "A number of African countries have already shown interest in our air-defence systems as the guarding of borders on the continent has become more important."

To a question of how Russia can allow companies such as the South African Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE) to upgrade the Mi-24 SuperHind and thus using Russia's intellectual property, Dmitriev said Russia is currently looking at its legislation to prevent similar situations. "We are looking at broadening our legal basis to act against certain countries and companies if and when necessary."

As far as South Africa's "competition" for Russia in certain instances Dmitriev said at this stage Russia sees South Africa as a possible partner and not as a competitor.

With acknowledgements to Erika Gibson and www.africa-aerospace2002.com