Croatian Mig-21s: the new acquisitions, refurbishments, etc.

[Stratofreighter]

3 hours ago

Croatia to refurbish MiGs, delaying new combat type

The Croatian government has formally decided to refurbish part of its current Mikoyan MiG-21-based fleet,
and to add more examples of the type to have one operational squadron, as a shortage of funds continues to thwart plans to acquire a new type.

The nation's defence ministry has shortlisted Romania's Aerostar and Ukraine's SE Odessa Aircraft Plant as potential contractors for the overhaul of seven air force MiG-21s,
and the provision of five additional aircraft.

A decision is expected soon, with Croatian media reporting bids from the companies valued at a respective €18.6 million ($24.7 million) and €13.9 million.

The latter offer includes the proposed delivery of aircraft left from a partially cancelled deal with Yemen,
which took delivery of only 20 MiG-21s from a 28-unit order,
says Ukrainian ambassador to Croatia Alexander Lavachenko.

Aerostar has previously conducted an overhaul and limited upgrade to eight MiG-21bis fighters for Croatia, and added four enhanced UMD-model two-seat trainers in 2003.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... pe-386940/

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.morh.hr/images/stories/morh_ ... 013a_v.jpg


http://www.morh.hr/images/phocagallery/ ... 013_22.jpg

...an update for the benefit of our foreign readers...

http://www.morh.hr/hr/vijesti-najave-i- ... otromanovi
which can be translated into English through
http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... ovi%23foto

Croatian Defence Minister Ante Kotromanovic today
during a visit to Ukraine visited the Institute Workover "Odesaviaremservis" in Odessa, where reconditioned first MiGs 21 by the Ministry of Defence bought from Ukraine.

Croatian delegation, led by Minister Kotromanović visited the Workover Institute where they met with the current state of work and saw the MiGs in the final stage.

In addition to the heads of the Ukrainian Repair Institute in Odessa is already there for weeks and Croatian experts who oversee the work.

Among them is an experienced pilot, Colonel John Selak, who has already made test flights in the three planes.

"At this time it is the final stage in the course of the trial flights after which we will get high quality and ready combat fighters," said Colonel Selak.

Minister pointed out that, although somewhat delayed delivery, the most important is to ultimately get ready MiGs which will provide Croatian airspace.

Croatian delegation visited the factory and "Malyshev Plant" in Kharkov, which is engaged in manufacturing, overhaul and upgrade of tanks and armored vehicles.

The company, in addition to the parent company in Kharkiv, has a sister company in the Crimea and Zakarpattia, and employs about 60,000 people.

Pictures of Mig-21 "131" taking off -and landing at Odessa in it's full "paint"-scheme can now be found at
http://david-cherkasov.livejournal.com/54322.html
or
http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... 54322.html

[SquAdmin]

Okay, so for now only the refurbished Fishbeds are grey?

[Maurice]

Yep, the refurbished ones will be grey. But to my knowledge the rest of the fleet is grounded anyway until they are refurbished. Can anyone confirm? On pictures I noted 131 and 132 as refurbished ones. These serials are not known as existing Croation MiG-21's, can I assume these are former Yemeni aircraft?

[jp 74]

When will they be deliverd to croatia?

[Poljot1]

As far as I know the first one, number 131, has already been delivered; no garanties offcourse....

Here some more info:

http://combatace.com/topic/80697-first- ... ized-migs/

http://ru-aviation.livejournal.com/2816572.html

[Poljot1]

Odessa aircraft factory repair rips contract MiG-21 for Croatia

January 22 , 11:11

Delay in delivery of repaired on SE "Odessa Aviation Plant" Croatian MiG-21bis and MiG-21UM is already 100 days.
According bmpd , during the inspection of vehicles repaired Croatian test pilot Selyakov Ivan (Ivan Selak) discovered a problem (in the form of noise of unknown origin) with radio equipment. Note that for the repair of radio equipment was also responsible and Czech company ČLS. At the same time noted satisfactory quality engine repair.



According to the publication, the Ministry of Defence of Croatia has not yet publicly expressed concern about delays in repairs, calling one of the reasons for the delay "bad weather conditions in the area of ​​aircraft repair plant."
Defense officials express optimism and promise that soon the country will receive a refurbished Air Force planes from which will be made even real missile launch "air-" R-60. This is even more important for Croatia, which as of mid-January 2014, not a single serviceable MiG-21.
Furthermore, according to information received bmpd even if formally MiG-21bis will be transferred to the Croatian side, they can not use their radar "Sapphire" RP-22SMA who actually inefficient. Repair them was too difficult (or expensive). "History of the Croatian MiG-21 in Ukraine once again confirms the complexity and risks of treatment to repair dumping enterprises in Eastern Europe and the CIS, which do not always have the requisite capacity for a full repair. For Croatia, this is the second such case after the failure of treatment to Romania in repair and modernization of the MiG-21 as the company Aerostar », - noted bmpd.

http://dumskaya.net/news/odesskij-aviaz ... -m-032060/

[Stratofreighter]

...more delays...

http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/Gener ... in_Ukraine

03. 03. 14. - 16:00

Croat MIG airplanes stuck in Ukraine
Croatian Times

Twelve Croatian combat airplanes sent for a repairing in Ukraine are not likely to get back soon.

The political situation in the country has forced all the non-civil aircraft to stay on ground.

Delay of the repairs to the MIG type aircrafts in Odessa means Croatia does not know when the airplanes will return.

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxbU2yGSiyk

MiG-21 Fishbed, low pass in Zadar, 22.3.2014.
MiG-21 Fishbed, low pass in Zemunik AFB, Zadar, Croatia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERkarm1Ffvg

Dual MiG 21 Fishbed low pass Zemunik
93. zrakoplovna baza organizira dan otvorenih vrata u vojarni Zemunik 22. ožujka 2014. na dan Hrvatskog ratnog zrakoplovstva i protuzračne obrane

Not all THAT low, but these two clips show rather recent Croatian Mig-21 activity...