Israel to Modernise Ukrainian MiG-29 Jets for $440M

Eleven of Ukraine’s MiG-29 fighters could be armed with advanced weapons along with receiving new capabilities owing to Israel’s offer of modernising the Russian-origin aircraft at a total cost of $440 million, according to a report.

“The winged craft will receive fundamentally new capabilities and the latest weapons for airborne warfare. The upgrades could cost about $440 million, at $40 million per fighter,” a source in the Ukrainian Defense Ministry was quoted as saying by Defense Industry Courier on August 28.

“Israeli firm Elbit Systems could be responsible  for the upgrades,” the source added.

The source also mentioned that the contract has not yet been signed, and negotiations are still underway.

Poland also seems to be considering the upgrade of its MiG-29s by Ukraine at a cost of about $1 million per jet. Modernization works will be carried out at the capacities of Lviv Aviation Repair Plant. The NATO-member state is eyeing this "inexpensive” option, after its purchase of used F-16s from the US for over $3 billon "was unsatisfactory" in terms of improving air superiority, a report by the same publication said.