Ukrainian missiles for Polish Air Force
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
30.06.2016 11:49
A Ukrainian company is to provide air-to-air R-27R1 missiles for Polish MiG-29 fighters.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Ronnie Macdonald
A tender for 40 such medium-range missiles was won by a consortium of Polish firm WB Electronics and Ukrainian state-owned company Spets Techno Export, the www.defence24.pl news portal reported.
The missiles, produced by Ukrainian company Artem, are to be delivered by the end of November.
The rockets are designed to home in on airborne targets at short and medium distances in all weather conditions, day and night. Their range is approximately 60 km, according to www.defence24.pl
The portal, which covers military and defence matters, reported that this is the first time that, via WB Electronics, the Polish armed forces are being offered a Ukrainian product.
The tender for the missiles was launched in October last year.
The purchase of the missiles testifies to determination of the authorities to maintain the full capabilities of Poland’s MiG-29 fighters, www.defence24.pl said.
It reported that the relatively small amount of missiles to be delivered reflects the fact that this type of rocket is rarely used, adding that in the air policing missions most often carried out by Polish MiG-29Ms, usually short-range R-60MK missiles, or more modern R-73E rockets, are used. (pk)